Carillon and Organ
Enjoy the spectacular sound of organ and carillon as you've never heard them before! Recorded at the University of Sydney, this CD features the talents of organist Amy Johansen and master carilloneur Jill Forrest.
Hear the spectacular sound of Carillon and Organ like you've never heard before!
The War Memorial carillon and the Great Hall organ are vital elements of the more than 50 graduations held annually as part of Sydney University's ceremonial life. As graduands and their guests arrive at the University on these important occasions, they are greeted by the wonderful, age-old sound of the carillon. Upon entering the Great Hall they are treated to the lighter and more transparent tones of the organ, these in turn giving way to the thrilling splendour of the full organ as the Academic Procession enters, and later retires from the, hall. Following the ceremony, activities focus on the famous quadrangle where all are invited to enjoy refreshments while the sounds of the bells cascade down, with Gaudeamus Igitur the first piece always heard. This recording gathers together some of the music performed on these great occasions.
It also offers an additional surprising feature, with the opening and closing works (arranged specifically for this recording) combining of instruments. This was possible only with technological help, the two instruments having been recorded separately and then combined later in the studio. The organ part was recorded first and then played back to the carillonist while she played and recorded her parts.
During recording, traffic noise and birds were somewhat of a problem. Thanks to modern noise reduction technology, the traffic has been virtually eliminated but you'll still hear the birds singing!
Here is a 9 minute video documenting the recording process:
Artists
Jill Forrest
Carilloneur Jill Forrest teaches carillon students at the University of Sydney and supervises a roster of Honorary Carillonists who play the War Memorial Carillon for formal recitals, graduation ceremonies and a range of other events. She is also an organist and church musician, and is currently President of the Carillon Society of Australia.
Amy Johansen
Amy Johansen is the Sydney University Organist and an Honorary Carillonist at the University. Although her repertoire encompasses all periods of music, it was her first CD, The Embrace of Fire, devoted to the organ music of Naji Hakim, which initially brought her international acclaim.
Press quotes
“an amazing technical achievement ... significant, imaginative and appealing ... Move Records is to be commended on such a worthwhile endeavour.”
— John Maidment, OHTA News
“splendid sounds ... consistently pleasing ... superbly recorded”
— John Barns, 3MBS FM Libretto
“The presentation of the CD, as is usual with Move recordings, is impeccable ... If this is your thing, and the programme appeals, go for it.”
— Lawrence Cross, Arpeggio Classics NZ
“first rate performances throughout ... most successfully recorded ... a fascinating bonus MPEG video”
— Colin Jenkins, Organo Pleno
“a unique performance”
— Chris Copas, The Star
“an excellent production ... a collection for all tastes ... Put this disc in your CD player, turn up the volume and go out into the garden to appreciate the effect of the bells as they are meant to be heard.”
— Ray Holland, Organ Music Society of Adelaide
“a distinctive and musically spectacular combination ... assured playing that is consistently musical and expressive ... a new and appealing listening experience for any music lover. The sound is warm and clear.”
— Bill Hoffmann, Canberra Times
“good contrasts ... nice to hear some rare or little-known pieces ... an appealing sound ... intriguing”
— Cliff Tucker, Radio Fremantle
Audio previews
Track Listing
- Gaudeamus Igitur (Traditional) Arr: Jill Forrest Robert Ampt 6:52
- Reich mir die hand, mein Leben Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Arr: Leen 't Hart 2:04
- Trumpet Voluntary Jeremiah Clarke Arr: Robert Ampt 3:06
- Greensleeves (Traditional) Arr: Jill Forrest 2:52
- Overture in B minor, BWV 1067 Badinerie Johann Sebastian Bach Arr: Thomas Murray 1:36
- Londonderry Air (Traditional) Arr: Sally Slade Warner 4:10
- Rustic Landscape John Pozdro 2:56
- Water Music Hornpipe George Frideric Handel Arr: Osborne Harold Peasgood 3:34
- Romance d'Espagna Antonio Cano Arr: Hans Hielscher 3:01
- 'Gigue' Fugue BWV 577 Johann Sebastian Bach 3:12
- Variations on a French Noel (Traditional) Arr: Todd Fair 2:44
- Was I not a Flower in the Meadows? (Traditional) Arr: Raymond Keldermans 1:54
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring Johann Sebastian Bach Arr: Percival Price 2:54
- Sinfonia from Cantata 29 Johann Sebastian Bach Arr: Wolfram Gehring 4:23
- Cantique de Noel Adolphe Adam Arr: Albert Gerken 3:02
- Provatakya (Traditional) Arr: Jill Forrest 2:23
- Greek Shepherdess (Traditional) Arr: John Gordon 2:49
- Organ Concerto in F Allegro George Frideric Handel 3:55
- Resonet in Laudibus (Traditional) Arr: Roy Hamlin Johnson 2:01
- Carillon de Westminster Louis Vierne Arr: Amy Johansen 7:49
Performers
- Jill Forrest · carillon · all except tracks 3, 5, 8, 10, 14 and 18
- Amy Johansen · organ · tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 18 and 20
Composers
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music. He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers.
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, and concertos. Handel's music was well known to such later composers as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity.
Robert Ampt
Robert Ampt is the Sydney City Organist and Organist/Choirmaster of Sydney's German Lutheran Church. An active recitalist and teacher, he composes and arranges music for the organ, has written two children's introductions to the organ, and has written an extensive history of the Sydney Town Hall organ.
Adolphe Adam
Adolphe Charles Adam (24 July 1803 – 3 May 1856) was a French composer and music critic. A prolific composer of operas and ballets, he is best known today for his ballets Giselle (1841) and Le corsaire (1856, his last work), his operas Le postillon de Lonjumeau (1836), Le toréador (1849) and Si j'étais roi (1852) [n 1] and his Christmas carol Minuit, chrétiens! (1844), later set to different English lyrics and widely sung as "O Holy Night" (1847). Adam was a noted teacher, who taught Delibes and other influential composers.
Where to buy
Carillon and Organ is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through
Apple Music.
Carillon and Organ is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.
Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.
