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Organ essentials with Ken Cowan 2023-2024

Performing several flagship works from the repertoire, Ken Cowan will explore the many facets of the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique.

Season partner

Ken Cowan is admired for the skilful way in which he showcases the entire range of an organ’s sonic characteristics thanks to his artful registration. Performing several flagship works from the repertoire, he will explore the many facets of the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique: its symphonic power, its romantic side, its meditative aspect, and, naturally, its virtuosity. Bringing together three centuries of music and covering four countries, this concert offers a captivating array of major works for organ.

Artists

Concert without orchestra

Ken Cowan, organ

The Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique was generously offered to the OSM by Mrs. Jacqueline Desmarais.

Programme

Widor, Organ Symphony no. 6 in G minor, op. 42, no. 2: I. Allegro (9 min)

Messiaen, Le banquet céleste (7 min)

Mendelssohn, Organ Sonata no. 1 in F minor, op. 65, no. 1: IV. Allegro assai vivace (4 min)

Rachel Laurin, Étude-Caprice, op. 66, “Beelzebub’s Laugh” (8 min)

Elgar, Organ Sonata in G major, op. 28: III. Andante espressivo (7 min)

J. S. Bach, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme [Wake Up, Cries the Watchmen’s Voice], Cantata, BWV 645 (4 min)

J. S. Bach, Toccata and fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (8 min)

Vierne, Carillon de Westminster, op. 54, no. 6 (7 min)

George Thalben-Ball, Variations on a Theme of Paganini (6 min)

Widor, Organ Symphony no. 5 in F minor, op. 42, no. 1: V. Toccata (5 min)

Without intermission

Total duration75minutes