Simon Harden returned to Dublin in 2015 after pursuing a performing career in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Paris.  At present, he lectures in organ performance at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. Prior to this he held positions as organist and choir director at the Anglican church in Frankfurt and the Christuskirche in Bad Vilbel. Regular concert engagements take him throughout Europe and Japan.

He began his studies at Trinity College Dublin, reading music and history of art. Further studies at academies in Berlin and Hamburg led to a first-class postgraduate degree in performance followed by a Premier Prix for his studies in Paris. On receiving a scholarship from the city of Hamburg, Simon took the Konzertexamenwith distinction, the highest award for performance in Germany.

Simon has won several prizes in international competitions, including first prize and audience prize at the International Schnitger Organ Competition and second prize at the Grand Prix Bach de Lausanne. He was also awarded the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) prize for ‘outstanding performance and intercultural involvement’ while in Hamburg. He has recorded solo CDs on the Marcussen organ in Gettorf and the new Glatter-Götz organ in Frankfurt.

Programme:

Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Toccata in D minor, BuxWV 155

Pablo Bruna (1611-1679)
Tiento de 2º tono por Ge sol ut ‘Sobre la letanía de la Virgen’

Guillaume Connesson (b.1970)
Nihil durare potest tempore perpetuo

August Gottfried Ritter (1811-1885)
Sonata in A minor, op.23 no.3
– Rasch
– Rezitativ
– Nicht schleppend
– Rasch
– Entschlossen
– Fuge

Thierry Escaich (b.1965)
Récit

Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703)
from Premier livre d’orgue
– Gloria de la Messe: récit de tierce en taille

Charles Tournemire (1870-1939)
Fantaisie-improvisation sur l’Ave maris stella

Guy Bovet (b.1942)
Salamanca