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Internationally-renowned Spanish musician Loreto Aramendi, organist of the Basílica de Santa María del Coro de San Sebastián, brings to Vancouver the music of her favourite composers. She has given many recitals in Europe, Argentina, Japan, Russia, and the United States, and her extraordinary skill and musicianship have been highly praised
Playing and interpretation of a very high standard
thanks to the performer’s stunning technique’ – David Baker
‘A fine example of absolute musicianship, sound
technique and utter command over the instrument’ – Sydney Organ Journal
‘Thrilled by her genius …
She has a unique gift that is very rare’ – JAV Records
What sets Loreto Aramendi’s concerts apart are the symphonic transcriptions of works by Liszt, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, and Saint-Saëns. These transcriptions are not simplified arrangements, but concert versions of great orchestral works which push both the instrument and player to the limit. Assuch,theyshowoff the rich tonal colours of the organ necessary for interpreting orchestral music, which are otherwise unheard in strict organ repertoire. Aswell, the organ transcriptions require a musician of exceptional virtuosic and artistic skill – and that Loreto Aramendi has in spades.
This will be the first time for Spanish virtuoso Loreto Aramedi to perform on Canada’s West Coast as she embarks on a tour in Canada and the USA. A rare opportunity to hear this extraordinarily-talented musician perform on the mighty pipe organ at St James’ Church, this is a concert not to be missed !
Loreto Aramendi at the National City Christian Church in Washington: https://youtu.be/I8hZ4aEUZ0g
St James’ Anglican Church welcomes back The Gesualdo Six ! The vocal ensemble performed at St James’ in 2018 when they started their first Canadian tour in Vancouver.
Comprised of some of the UK’s finest young consort singers, directed by Owain Park, the vocal consort was formed in March 2014 for a performance of Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday in the chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge. Since then, the group went on to give over one hundred performances around the United Kingdom and abroad in its first four years.
Though initially focusing on early music, concert programmes began to reflect a desire to include more modern repertoire and now renaissance polyphony is often juxtaposed with works by composers including György Ligeti and Joanna Marsh amongst others. In 2016, The Gesualdo Six curated its first Composition Competition, attracting 174 entries from around the world. In 2019, a second Composition Competition attracted entries from over 300 composers, with the winning works by Alison Willis and Jacob Beranek receiving their world premieres at Cadogan Hall in London.
Their debut album of English renaissance polyphony ‘English Motets’ was released in April 2018, followed in 2019 by their second recording ‘Christmas.’
The incredibly atmospheric church of St Bartholomew the Great in London was the perfect location to launch their third album in 2020 ‘Fading,’ which features a variety of music inspired by the service of compline. And in 2022, The Gesualdo Six released two more albums : Tenebrae Responsories and Lux Aeterna.
The Gesualdo Six return to St James’ as part of their 2023 North American tour, and the programme will include selections from their most-recent CD Lux Aeterna , including
Communio : Lux aeterna Cristóbal de Morales
Peccantem me quotidie William Byrd
Funeral Ikos Sir John Tavener
In remembrance Eleanor Daley
Lumen Donna McKevitt
The Gesualdo Six concert at St James’ in 2018 was a sold-out event, and we expect the same for their 2023 appearance.