The festival is spread out throughout various churches, basilicas and cathedrals around the islands. Photo: Reuben ChircopThe Malta International Organ Festival hits our shores on Saturday, with 17 concerts spread out over a span of three weeks in the cathedrals, basilicas and churches across the Maltese islands.
The festival brings together world renowned, top-notch musicians with some of the greatest music written for the organ. Considered one of the most valuable musical instruments in the world, the organ works especially well with the excellent acoustics of Malta’s churches.
The opening concert on Saturday features internationally acclaimed BBC Proms organist and conductor Wayne Marshall, together with baritone Joseph Lia.
Following a series of other concerts, the festival comes to a close with a grand finale on Friday, December 9 with major baroque works for solo organ and organ and orchestra, under the direction of the highly-acclaimed baroque conductor and organist Elena Sartori.
Other concerts include an organ and clarinet concert at the Fontana parish church in Gozo; a concert for violin, cello and organ at the Bir Miftuħ Medieval Chapel; a Strada Stretta Concept concert at Loop Bar; and world stars Christian Schmitt and Heribert Breuer at the St Augustine parish church in Valletta.
The Lithuanian choir Giesme will give a concert at St Helen’s Basilica in Birkirkara, while Roberta Bugeja will give her interpretation of Maltese feast antiphon melodies and Dion Buhagiar will improvise on sacred themes.
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Brass ensemble, under the direction of Geoffrey Alvarez, will perform a programme of organ and brass.
As explained by artistic director Joseph Lia, this year’s eclectic programme showcases the versatility of the organ as a solo instrument, as an accompanist to several instruments such as clarinet, violin, cello, pan-pipes, voice, and choir, as part of an ensemble, and also as a basso continuo for various sonatas.
■ Full programme details can be obtained from www.MaltaInternational OrganFestival.com. This space will cover the individual concerts on the day.
The Malta International Organ Festival brings local and foreign talent to the forefront this month and next. Photo: Reuben Chircop