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20 April 2010
Organ Concert THIS SUNDAY - Thomas Heywood (Melbourne)
Dear {FirstName}
We hope you have had the opportunity to hear the Klais organ of the Auckland Town Hall, either in person, or on Radio New Zealand Concert.
The next organ concert (and the last until September) is being given THIS SUNDAY, 25th April, at 2.30pm. The recitalist is THOMAS HEYWOOD who we are bringing from Melbourne exclusively for this concert.
There will be a pre-concert talk starting at 1.30pm given by Kerry Stevens and Thomas Heywood. Kerry Stevens will give avery interesting presentation, complete with slides, about the organ rebuilding project. Thomas Heywood will provide a brief introduction to himself, his programme, and his thoughts about the organ.
Programmes will be available for only $2.00, or for $10 you can purchase a programme and a copy of the beautiful full colour Inauguration Souvenir Programme which is full of information about the organ, its history, rebuilding, and specification, with many excellent photographs.
Please support this concert with your attendance, if you are able to, and please also encourage your friends, family and neighbours to attend as well!
There will be an opportunity for you to show your support for the ‘new’ organ concert series, by way of giving a cash donation / koha at the end of the concert. Although these concerts are ‘free’ to attend, as required by the donor of the Norman & Beard organ of 1911, Henry Brett, they are certainly not free to stage. The reality is that the extent of financial support provided by concert attendees by way of donations will directly influence the range and diversity of organists that the Auckland Town Hall Organ Trust will be able to present in future. We currently have no external funding other than the support of THE EDGE® Public Programmes, which is greatly appreciated, but which does not fully cover the cost of presenting and promoting the concert series. Your donation of notes will influence the future shape of the programme.
In addition to the Programmes, there will also be an opportunity for you to purchase merchandise before and after the concert. This includes:
- “The Auckland Town Hall Pipe Organ Book” children’s book published by Klais Orgelbau ($35.00)
- Limited edition score of Organ Symphony in C composed for the inauguration by City Organist Dr John Wells, autographed by the composer ($80.00)
- Auckland Town Hall Organ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (2009) wine ($199.00 per case, delivered in Auckland)
- Auckland Town Hall Organ Central Otago Pinot Noir (2008) wine ($299.00 per case, delivered in Auckland)
- Auckland Town Hall Organ mixed case of wine ($249.00 per case, delivered in Auckland)
- Posters of the Klais organ of the Auckland Town Hall Organ
- Thomas Heywood organ CDs.
All of the Auckland Town Hall Organ Trust merchandise provides financial support to the future organ programme.
Alternatively, you can order this merchandise via our website: www.aucklandorgan.org.nz
Thomas Heywood is widely acclaimed by the critics.
Here is a sample:
 “That the words ‘organ recital’ and ‘fun’ could appear in the same sentence probably wouldn’t occur to many people… But Thomas Heywood’s recital had the audience grinning from ear to ear. Mr. Heywood isn’t just a brilliant organist. He’s a first-class musician, with technique to burn, a visceral sense of rhythm and a virtuoso command of complicated registration changes. Add his ebullient commentary…and it’s hard not to think of him as the Crocodile Hunter of the organ. Mr. Heywood is unsurpassed today as a player of transcriptions. No opera orchestra has played…with more dash, or more irresistible a spring in its waltz rhythms. Mr. Heywood’s own Bach transcription…danced along at a tempo that would press a fine period-instruments orchestra. He gave a spectacularly ‘orchestrated’ performance of Sibelius…He was as compelling…as he was charming. His performances of Rossini and Brahms were beyond brilliant.”
The Dallas Morning News, USA
“Thomas Heywood delighted the audience…a child prodigy at five…full of technical feats…mesmeric fingering and dancing feet. But it is the virtuoso playing that picks you up on a current of music that fills your heart and delights the spirit, the soul. Heywood spoke from the organ loft and he was witty, knowledgeable and full of interesting anecdotes and stories about the music he was playing. I just love it when musicians talk to their audience and establish a rapport. Heywood has a rapport that a rapper would envy. His bubbly personality led you into Bach, Brahms and Haydn…splendid, showy and difficult. The second half was equally impressive…a wow of keyboard and footwork virtuosity…the selection was superb and brought the audience to a noisy standing ovation. What a concert!”
The Munster Express, Ireland
“a consummate player who exudes musicianship, a breathtakingly accurate virtuoso technique and an imaginative and colourful approach to registration, for whom a huge organ such as this holds no terrors…What a stunning player Thomas Heywood is. His flawless technique is just the platform from which truly artistic and memorable performances flow.”
The Editor’s Choice, Organists’ Review, UK
“superhuman gifts…brilliant technique, riveting rhythm, an amazing ear for color…All that, and he paid more attention to the composer’s metronome markings than most orchestra conductors…Mr Heywood brought it off magnificently. In fact, this was some of the most compelling music making of any kind I’ve heard in ages. Start to finish, this was drop dead music making, with flair and expressivity to burn…even if you think you don’t like organ recitals, don’t even think of missing him.”
The Dallas Morning News, USA
"an international reputation...bravura performances...a feast of virtuoso playing...tremendous foundational power and rhythmic intensity...astounding displays of rapid finger work...beautifully judged...an acknowledged master”
Piping the News, UK
"Lots of times organ recitals seem to be somewhat grim affairs with utterly dispassionate playing of obscure music. But Thomas Heywood, the Australian virtuoso who is playing up a storm wherever he goes, exudes joy and enthusiasm in a larger-than-life manner. He is not only a master performer, he is a master entertainer. The proof was in the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response…these folks ADORED Thomas Heywood! Heywood's playing is in itself extraordinary. Here is a man with limitless technique, incredible gifts at registering with maximum color, complete understanding and appreciation not only of the transcription, but also of the original work, all undergirded by good taste – showy while never showing off. But then there's his charming use of spoken program notes. When Heywood talks to an audience, he is utterly charming: it's as if he is having an informal conversation with his closest friends, using a limitless store of musical anecdotes to impart knowledge while at the same time drawing the audience into a close personal relationship. The audience loves him both for his playing and for the warmth he shows while speaking. I'll wager that NO ONE does spoken program notes better! Thomas Heywood is just finishing his latest U.S. tour, but he will be back, and his busy schedule takes him to many other parts of the world. If you have the chance to attend one of his concerts, do so! Put away your prejudices, listen to the amazing things this man does…and be prepared to leave the concert thoroughly pumped up – indeed, SMILING!”
Utica, New York, USA
"international reputation for his innovative approach...a program that was pleasingly varied and constantly enjoyable...played with fine musicianship and impressively virtuosic brilliance”
The Canberra Times, Australia
“something for everyone…masterful registration…a concert in the tradition of the ‘Town Hall’ recital of popular music and technical pyrotechnics, showing his complete mastery of the resources at his command”
Organ News, New Zealand
“a faithfully sympathetic performance style…This is a highly accomplished display…he has a tremendous talent”
The Organ Club Journal, UK
“flawlessly presented with masterly control…Maximum enjoyment…energy, enthusiasm and virtuosic flair”
Sydney Organ Journal, Australia
“Heywood’s playing is versatile and vigorous…powerful yet subtle”
The Melburnian, Australia
“exciting, florid and exhilarating…a tribute both to the organist and the organ…superbly crisp and well defined…brilliantly performed”
Hunter District Organ News, Australia
“On the softer and more delicate side [Heywood’s interpretation is] wrought with sensitivity”
Victorian Organ Journal, Australia
“he does both himself and the instrument great credit…most impressive performance…impeccable command”
The Age, Melbourne, Australia
“a grand finale for the [1996] Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord…Thomas Heywood’s concert provided…the best virtuoso playing of the festival, with a kaleidoscope of transcriptions and original works”
Sydney Organ Journal, Australia
“Well, this was an enjoyable surprise! A real “Town Hall” programme … played with real style and verve … unashamedly Romantic … a particularly satisfying experience. Heywood’s technique is immaculate, his projection of the music positively three-dimensional, and his obvious enjoyment of the task radiates through the notes, catching up the listener and carrying us along the way.”
Organists’ Review, UK [1993]
Come along, and decide for yourself!
Auckland Town Hall Organ Trust http://aucklandorgan.org.nz/
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