We are delighted to welcome international organist and Bach specialist Anne Page to Portico.

The Portico organ unifies elements of tradition and innovation within its structure and soundscape. The programme tries to reflect that dual nature: the first half is very much ‘in the footsteps of Bach’ with music from one of his pupils J.L. Krebs, and from Mendelssohn and Schumann who rediscovered the almost forgotten Cantor and paid homage to him in their own music. After the interval four composers give us four contemporary styles: Demessieux and Alain, formed by the same teachers but of extraordinary individuality; David Aprahamian Liddle takes inspiration from architectural forms and even the daily cup of tea; and Carl Rütti takes Gregorian chant into the realms of dance.

Programme

Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713-1780)
Toccata and Fugue in E major
Trio in E minor

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)
Chorale with three variations (1823) Wie gross ist des Allmächt’gen Güte

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Fugues no. 5 and no. 1 from 6 Fugues on B-A-C-H Op.60.

INTERVAL

Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968)
Répons pour le Temps de Pâques

David Aprahamian Liddle (b.1960)
Ogee Echoes Op.25
Polyphony in T major (or Earl Grey’s Fancy) Op.19

Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Aria

Carl Rütti (b. 1949)
Tabor in three movements:
1. The mountain of the Transfiguration.
2. The cloud.
3. Skylark.

Anne Page

Anne Page was born and educated in Perth, Australia and moved to Europe to continue advanced studies with Marie-Claire Alain, Peter Hurford and Jacques van Oortmerssen. She made her London debut playing 20th century repertoire at the Royal Festival Hall. Her career encompasses performances and broadcasts in Europe, the USA and Australia. In the pioneering spirit of her country of origin she likes to explore some of the less well trodden musical paths and has been one of a handful of musicians at the forefront of the revival of the harmonium, establishing a course on the instrument at the Royal Academy of Music (2002) and performing a solo recital in the Purcell Room (2008).

Now based in Cambridge, she recently performed the complete organ works of Bach in 23 recitals on 14 different organs. The series attracted capacity audiences and helped to support the educational work of the Cambridge Academy of Organ Studies of which Anne is a founder. In 2017 Anne returned to the Royal Festival Hall for a performance of Bach’s crowning masterpiece, the Art of Fugue. The Sunday Times wrote: ‘unity and diversity were one long, irresistible, emotionally satisfying interpenetration… Page rose marvellously to her immense challenge.’

Supported by Lottery Project Funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland