450th Anniversary Recital
23 Apr 2010
One of the world's most acclaimed organists will be returning to his musical roots to help Solihull School celebrate its 450th anniversary.
Iain Simcock, a renowned soloist, recording artist and choral leader who was a pupil at the independent co-educational school from 1976 to 1983, is to give a free organ recital in its chapel on Wednesday, April 28 at 7.30pm.
He will be playing music dating from when the school was founded in 1560 to the present day on the instrument on which he trained following its £220,000 restoration.
The works will include The Queen's Alman by William Byrd, based on a dance that became popular in the English courts in the 1560s, three pieces from JS Bach's 'Clavieruebung', Jean-Philippe Rameau's 'Air des Sauvages' from Les Indes Galantes, and Cesar Franck's Pastorale Opus 19.
Iain will also be performing Viaticum from 'Christus – A Passion for Organ' by Francis Pott – a work that he recorded as a CD world premiere for Hyperion Records, as well as Louis Vierne's Sixth Symphony which he also recorded for the label.
After gaining an organ scholarship to St George's Chapel, Windsor and Christ Church, Oxford, Iain became Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey and then Assistant Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral. He has been Musical Director of the Maitrise de l'Academie Vocale de Paris since 2000, having built it into the most ambitious choral project in France.
Other achievements include becoming the first British prize-winner of the Chartres International Organ Competition and performing the complete organ works of Bach in Angers in 1996, recording a solo CD of highlights from the performances, and playing in two BBC Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.
Iain Simcock said: “I am delighted to be returning to Solihull School in its 450th anniversary year to play the instrument that helped to inspire my career as an organist. I am looking forward to hearing how it will play following its restoration.”
Iain is one of a number of distinguished organists and former pupils who have returned to Solihull School to give recitals. They include Paul Hale, Cathedral Organist and Rector Chori at Southwell Minster; David Briggs, Organist Emeritus at Gloucester Cathedral; and John Butt, holder of the Gardiner Chair of Music at Glasgow University.
Free tickets for the Iain Simcock recital at Solihull School Chapel in Warwick Road, Solihull are available by calling the school on 0121 705 0958 or by sending an email request to admin@solsch.org.uk.
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