Tonight sees the inaugural concert for Glasgow Royal Concert Hall’s new digital state of the art organ.
The £155,000 Copeman Hart digital organ will make its debut this evening, Wednesday at a concert by the internationally acclaimed organist Prof Ian Tracey, Organist Titular at Liverpool Cathedral.
The organ was purchased thanks to a fundraising initiative by the Merchants House of Glasgow.
The instrument, which has 76 speaking stops – individual sounds – has been designed specifically for the venue’s main auditorium and has 56 full range and eight bass speaker boxes with more than 170 independent speaker drivers. Installation began in July.
The performance by Prof Tracey begins at 7.30pm, and will feature work by Soler, Pachelbel, Bach, Schumann, Whitlock, Franck, Warlock, Peeters, Tchaikovsky and Widor.
The new organ was designed in collaboration with leading Scottish organists, Dr James Hunter, Honorary Director of Music at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Matt Edwards, Director of Music, Thomas Coats Memorial Church, Paisley, and was built by UK-based digital organ specialists Copeman Hart & Company.
Prof Tracey, who is also official organist to the City of Liverpool, and Chorus Master and Organist at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, was a key consultant for the new digital organ.
Councillor Archie Graham, Chair of Glasgow Life said: “The new organ is a valuable addition to our vibrant musical landscape, and I would like to thank the Merchants House, whose fantastic work was invaluable to making this happen.”
Raymond Williamson, the city’s former Lord Dean of Guild, said: “For over 400 years the Merchants House has played an important part in the civic and cultural life of the city and we are delighted to have raised the funds for a bespoke digital organ for the city’s Royal Concert Hall.”
Between 2.30pm and 5.30pm before Wednesday’s concert, Dr James Hunter will host a special pre-event for local organists and organ enthusiasts in the main auditorium.
Tickets are available priced £5 from Glasgow Concert Halls or 0141 353 8000
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