Christopher Wrench

Great Hall, University of Sydney

Sunday 20 September 2009, 3.30pm

Prelude & Fugue in D, BWV 532                                                                                              Johann Sebastian Bach              

                                                                                                                                                                                     1685-1759

Sonata I in Eb, BWV 525                                                                                                                                                        

       [Tempo ordinario]                                                                                                                                                             

       Adagio

       Allegro

Theme with Variations in D (1844)                                                                                                 Felix Mendelssohn

       Andante                                                                                                                                                              1809-1847

Sonata II in c, op.65/2                                                                                                                                                                            

       Grave - Adagio                                                                                                                                                                     

       Allegro maestoso e vivace                                                                                                                                                 

       FUGA  Allegro moderato

Roulade, op.9/3                                                                                                                                                Seth Bingham

                                                                                                                                                                                     1882-1972

Toccata                                                                                                                                                             Joseph Jongen

                                                                                                                                                                                     1873-1953

Australian organist CHRISTOPHER WRENCH is a graduate of the Queensland and Vienna Conservatoria and the Vienna University of Music where he studied with Prof Michael Radulescu.  International acclaim followed prize winning performances at major competitions in Odense, Denmark (1st Prize, 1992), St Albans, England (Audience Prize) and Dublin.

In addition to annual overseas tours which have included Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England (incl. Westminster Abbey, King’s College Cambridge), Germany, Hong Kong, Italy and Sweden; Christopher performs regularly throughout Australia, where he has appeared at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Melbourne Autumn Music Festival, the Sydney Festival, the Brisbane Festival, the New England Bach Festival, Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields, the Barraba Festival; and as soloist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Adelaide Chamber Orchestra, The Queensland Orchestra and the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra. 

A former jury member of international competitions in Odense and Calgary, Christopher Wrench performs a broad solo repertoire spanning many centuries whilst also enjoying work as a liturgical musician, teacher, chamber musician and Lieder accompanist.  Recent projects include the complete organ works of J.S.Bach and Maurice Duruflé and a CD of J.S.Bach’s Organ Sonatas on the historic Kastens/Lund organ in the Garrison Church, Copenhagen (released by Melba Recordings in August 2009).  His live and studio performances are broadcast regularly on ABC Classic FM and local MBS networks.

Wrench is currently Director of Music/Organist at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point in Brisbane and part-time Lecturer in Organ at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.  In 2008 he received the Lord Mayor’s Australia Day Cultural Award for his outstanding contribution to music in Brisbane.

REVIEWS (see over)

Haha.  Not that I read it though as I have messages on "read at web" only.

--- In sydneyorgan@..., Mark Quarmby <mark_quarmby@...> wrote:
>
> It was someone sending out porn spam asking for porn movies.
>
>
> On 01/09/2009, at 22:22, Peter Jewkes wrote:
>
> >
> > Oooh, who is he, what did he do, and what did he write? I've been
> > travelling all day and haven't had time to look at a paper or listen
> > to the news....

--- In sydneyorgan@..., "Robert Wagner" <rjw@...> wrote:
>
> Dear colleagues,
>
> May I ask a favour of you - if you are planning to attend John Scott's concert
at Grammar on July 29th, could you please book your tickets before the end of
this week if at all possible? The school term finishes then and the music office
will be closed for a couple of weeks.
>
> You can book tickets by emailing Margrit Bachmann on mbb@... or telephoning
her on 9332 5895. Tickets are $20/$10 concession.
>
> Many thanks to those who have already booked. It should be a wonderful
concert.
>
> Best wishes to all,
>
> Bob W.
>
>
>
> Robert Wagner
> Master-in-Charge,
> Practical Musical Studies &
> School Organist,
> Sydney Grammar School
>
> Telephone: 02 9332-5886
> Fax: 02 9332-5837
> Mobile: 0411 104 475
> Email: rjw@...
> *************************************
> This message is intended for the addressee named and may contain privileged
information or confidential information or both.
> If you are not the intended recipient please delete it and notify the sender.
Unless the contrary is indicated expressly in writing,
>  Sydney Grammar School does not license or authorise reproduction, publication
or adaptation of this e-mail or any
> attachments to it or the doing of any other act with them or it which is
referred to in the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
> *************************************
>

Going today.  Looking forward to it.

--- In sydneyorgan@..., Mark Quarmby <mark_quarmby@...> wrote:
>
> All Cathedral organ recital programs can be found on this web page:
>
> http://www.sydneyorgan.com/SAC2009.html
>
> Just click on the blue monthly recital programs heading for that
> month's programs. I upload all the programs as soon as they are sent
> to me.
>
> Cheers from Phoenix,
>
> Mark
>
>
> On 23/06/2009, at 22:28 , jpaitchison2003 wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > The Sydney Organ Journal tells us who is performing at the Friday
> > recitals at St Andrew's each week, but it still doesn't tell us what
> > music is being played. This is regretable. I, for one, am reluctant
> > to venture all the way into the cathedral on a Friday, knowing that
> > I might well find myself listening to music that I find uncongenial
> > and can't relate to.
> >
> > Perhaps this Yahoo group could be a place in which we are givewn
> > information about the cathedral recital each week ?
> >
> > I'll start the trend, by proclaiming that I'll be playing Cesar
> > Franck's Choral #2 and his Pastorale this Friday (June 26th). Also,
> > at the risk of making a complete fool of myself, I'll be playing
> > some little compositions of my own. I hope this wont be a case of
> > "the siblime to the ridiculous !"
> >
> > John Aitchison.
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
>
> Mark Quarmby
> Assistant Organist, St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney
> Hampton Court
> 97/10 Webb Street
> Croydon NSW 2132
> AUSTRALIA
>
> +61 2 9744 6837 (Home)
> 0413 166 803 (Mobile)
>
> Email: mark_quarmby@...
> Website: http://mq.sydneyorgan.com
>

It's true that you never forget certain things that you learn as a child, like
riding a bicycle. Playing piano is another example. A minimum of two to three
years of piano lessons is enough to instill an indelible knowledge of piano
basics. That knowledge will likely be remembered throughout adulthood.
However, some adults who have been out of practice for several years may find
returning to piano lessons challenging. It's sometimes scary to learn to play
the piano over again. Starting piano lessons again can be fulfilling though for
those prepared to tackle the challenges.
One of the biggest challenges of re-learning piano as an adult is changing
methods. Adults who took only a few years of piano lessons as children may have
initially learned to play by rote. Playing piano by rote focuses more on
memorization and mimicry than on learning to read music and understand chords.
Children tend to learn very quickly by rote. Children who learn by this method
appear to progress quickly. Eventually though, as pieces get more difficult,
learning tends to slow down significantly. Grasping new skills becomes
increasingly difficult. This method is becoming less and less favored by piano
instructors today for this reason.
Another hurdle to clear when re-learning piano as an adult is chords and theory.
Even if you hated piano lessons as a child you can still learn to play. Adults
who had five or fewer years of piano lessons likely didn't learn chord theory.
Even adults who learned to read music as children frequently have trouble
grasping chords.
Learning anything (piano or otherwise) is always harder in adulthood than
childhood. It's not impossible though. Anyone with a foundation in music is at
an advantage when re-learning piano as an adult.
Would you like to tickle the ivories and play your favorite songs? Here are four
things to consider before you start:
1. Be willing to put aside old habits. That keyboard is still the same old
keyboard. Teaching methods may have though. Don't discount a teaching method
just because it's different from what you're used to. Compare different learning
methods before deciding which one is best for you.
2. Be willing to start from square one. Adults by experience have a better grasp
of the physical properties of a piano keyboard. That doesn't mean it won't be
challenging. Don't expect to play a classical sonata in the first month. Take
things slowly, perhaps even starting with a refresher of the basics (i.e.,
scales).
3. Be committed to practicing. Remember your mother nagging you to practice as a
kid? Mom's not around now, so it's up to you to push yourself. The results you
get in piano playing will be commensurate with the time and effort you practice.
Make daily practice time a priority.
4. Find the right teacher. Getting the right piano instructor makes all the
difference in the world. Look for a teacher who is experienced with working with
adults. Make sure the instructor is familiar with the original method that you
learned. The right instructor should be able to evaluate your skills within one
or two sessions. He or she will then set you on the right course for
re-learning. For self-motivated adults, there are a couple great piano teachers
online that can get you playing and enjoying yourself fairly quickly. Type in
"play piano" or "piano lessons for adults" in any search engine and you will
locate them.
Re-learning piano as an adult can be very rewarding. Not only will you improve
your piano skills; you'll stimulate your brain too. There are benefits galore in
many ways from playing piano. Adults who take piano lessons often report a
better ability to concentrate. Many also realize a greater aptitude for learning
other new skills. These things carry over into other parts of adult life, from
work, to hobbies and even raising children.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learnpianokydf/

The  Sydney  Organ  Journal  tells  us  who  is  performing  at  the   Friday 
recitals  at  St  Andrew's  each  week,  but  it  still  doesn't  tell us what 
music  is being  played.   This  is  regretable.  I, for  one,  am  reluctant 
to  venture all the  way  into  the  cathedral  on  a Friday,  knowing  that  I 
might  well  find  myself  listening  to  music  that  I  find  uncongenial  and
can't  relate  to.

Perhaps  this  Yahoo  group  could  be  a  place  in  which  we  are  givewn 
information  about  the  cathedral  recital  each  week ?

I'll  start  the  trend,  by  proclaiming  that  I'll  be  playing  Cesar 
Franck's  Choral  #2  and  his  Pastorale  this  Friday  (June  26th).   Also, 
at  the  risk  of  making  a  complete  fool  of  myself,  I'll  be  playing
some  little  compositions  of  my  own.  I  hope  this  wont  be  a  case  of 
"the  siblime  to  the  ridiculous !"

John  Aitchison.

Piano moving is not a simple task. Pianos are heavy, expensive and most of the
time have sentimental value. Hiring a moving company for your piano move is
probably your best option but some people move themselves. There are a few
things you can do to make moving your piano easier on your friends and on your
back.
The main tool you will need is a four wheel dolly with non marring casters. You
will use this tool for placing under your piano so you can easily roll it
around. You will also need moving pads, some shrink wrap and ratchet straps.
Buying or renting these tools and supplies will ensure your piano move is done
right. You should also look into using a back support brace while moving this
heavy item. Two strong people can move a piano if there are no stairs involved.
If you have stairs you will need 3-5 people depending on their strength and the
weight of your piano. Moving a piano on stairs is not a simple feat, I recommend
hiring a moving company for this task.
The first step is padding and shrink wrapping your piano. Use at least two
moving pads to cover the front and sides. Shrink wrap the pads into place so
they will stay where they need to while shifting your piano around during the
move. You may need to use additional shrink wrap on the legs if your piano is a
spinet. Make sure you do not pad over the handles that are built into the back
of the piano, you will need to hold onto these while you are moving it.
Next you need to place the four wheel dolly underneath the piano. Lift one end
of the piano and place a pad under under the side edge. Doing so will protect
the piano while you're putting the dolly under it. From the end opposite the
side with the pad, tilt the piano up enough for someone to slide the four wheel
dolly underneath. If you do not want to tilt your piano, two strong people can
lift the piano straight up and onto the four wheel dolly. Make sure that the
four wheel dolly is in the center of the piano and that it feels balanced before
you move it.
Using straps to hold the four wheel dolly into place is recommended for safety
especially if you have never moved a piano before. Strapping will help you
control the movements of the piano without having your dolly shift around on
bumps you might go over. Do not over-tighten your straps and make sure that the
ratchets and hooks are in the back or in a place where the metal will not press
into the pads too much.
Once the piano is padded, wrapped and the dolly is strapped on, you can start
moving it. Have at least one person on each end at all times and keep your hands
on the piano at all times. When you come to a threshold or bump you need to move
over, the person walking backwards over the bump first needs to lift the first
two wheels of the dolly over the bump. You do this by holding the built in
handle in the back of the piano and holding the edge in the front. Lift with
control and take it nice and easy. You should be able to clear the bump and set
the wheels down with little strain. The last two wheels will clear the bump even
easier then the first when the person walking forwards lifts the piano just
enough to clear the bump.
Now that you have the piano out of your home you can roll it up your ramp into
your moving truck or trailer. I prefer using cargo trailers because they have a
lower deck, this means your ramp is not as steep as a bobtail moving truck. Once
you get it inside, remove the dolly in the reverse order of how it was put
underneath. Place the piano with its back against the wall of your vehicle and
strap it down. I like to use three straps; one strap lower down, one in the
middle and one near the top.
Moving a piano is not as hard as some people fear if done properly. Take your
time, use your head and make sure you have the tools and strength for the job.
Good luck on your piano moving adventure!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learnpianokydf/

Tomorrow  (Friday  24 April,  Eve  of  St  Mark,  Eve  of  Anzac  Day)  I  will 
be  playing  Jiri  Ropek's  Variations  on  the  Easter  Sequence  "Vicimae 
Paschali  Laudes"  at  St  Andrew's  Cathedral,  at  the  usual  time  of  1.10
pm.

Ropek,  like  Messiaen,  was  as  much  theologian  as  composer,  and  his 
music  searches  out  the  Easter  themes  of  Life  and  Death,  of 
Resurrection  and  Cosmic  Triumph,  with  quite  remarkable depth  and  
intensity.

A  rare  chance  to  hear  music  rarely  performed  in  Australia.

   (David  Malloy  tells  me  he once  played  this  piece  at  St  Mary's 
Cathedral,  but  I  think  that  was  about  20  years  ago,  so  I  doubt  if 
many  will  feel  that  the music  is  boringly  hackneyed  and  familiar !)

John Aitchison.