Acclaimed organ series in Offaly town opens with recital by founder of event

He was joined by the outstanding award winning Tullamore Academy Chamber Choir under the baton of Ciarán Brady.

Professor Gillen opened the recital with J.S Bach’s Prelude in E Flat BWV 552i . We also heard him play Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck’s (1562-1621) Ballo del Granduca. He followed this with Grand Choeur in D, ‘alla Handel’, op.18 by Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911). Thanks to Tony Monaghan on sound and video we were able to watch Professor Gillen as he played so magnificently on the wonderful Frobenius organ which came from Denmark and was inaugurated in a gala concert in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore on May 10th 1995.

The Academy Chamber Choir was founded in September 2008 and has made its mark in the musical world by winning many prestigious national awards. Each choir member is an advanced student of voice with the Academy and has experience in solo, operatic and competitive performance. This was very much in evidence as we listened to their heavenly harmonies and choral excellence. Ciarán Brady, director and founder of the choir, led his singers in three modern pieces following the Bach organ prelude.

We heard In Paradisum by American composer and conductor Z. Randall Stroope (b.1953). Welsh composer Paul Mealor (b.1975) gave us Ubi Caritas which he wrote for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April 2011. My Soul’s been anchored in the Lord by American composer, Moses Hogan (1957-2003) gave us a chance to hear the versatility and vocal nimbleness of all the choir members.

Geard Gillen and the choir joined together for a truly unforgettable Missa Brevis composed by Jacob de Haan (b.1959) in 2002. The organ and choir blended in the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei to bring us a truly religious experience.

In addition to the wonderful music of the evening what made the event even more special was that the patron of the organ series, Bishop Tom Deenihan attended the concert and made a special presentation to Gerard Gillen in recognition of his twenty five years of directing and organising the recitals. Gerard is stepping aside as artistic director this year so it was very fitting that Bishop Deenihan and parish priest Fr Joe Gallagher recognised his contribution to the musical life of not alone Tullamore and the midlands, but to Maynooth University as Professor and Head of music there from 1985 to 2007.

Gerard thanked everyone for their support over the past twenty five years and made particular reference to the Trench Trust and Offaly County Council for their generous corporate support every year. He thanked the many friends and supporters who have helped this organ series grow in strength each year and makes the Tullamore Frobenius organ series an attractive event for international organists and musicians.

In the third concert in the series on Tuesday, July 16, , we welcome back Dónal McCann who hails from Belfast and is the Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford. He will be joined by superb British soprano, Maryam Wocial in works by Georg Friedrich Handel, Charles Villiers Stanford and Louis Vierne.

For final Concert of the 2024 series, we welcome the celebrated Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin from Paris. Mme Choplin is co titular organist at the great Church of Saint Sulpice. She has had an extensive international career as a recitalist and is recognised as one of the great improvisors on the organ. Tickets are €15 and are available at the door or from the Esker Arts Centre box Office. Do please join us for superb music on our doorstep on Tuesdays the 16th and 23rd of July.