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Come & experience Michael playing beautiful organ standards as well as accompanying Charlie Chaplin as he hilariously searches for riches in his silent film ‘The Gold Rush’.
Michael Dirk, well known for his organ playing skills as well as his entertaining presentations, will be hosting our 3rd Organ concert Fundraiser. Michael will be accompanying a silent film star such as ‘Charlie Chaplin’ as well as performing some very famous organ pieces by Bach, Frack & modern pieces which will bring smiles as you enjoy the many exciting sounds of the newly digitized ‘very old’ organ. As one of Canada’s more active and versatile organists, Vancouver Civic Organist Michael Dirk is equally at home offering solo concerts, accompanying the many fine choirs/ensembles of the region, improvising an entertaining accompaniment to a silent film, or serving liturgically in various worship styles. Come and munch your popcorn & enjoy the show.
Accompanied live by Edward Norman on the historic Wurlitzer organ.
The 1926 romantic drama Torrent was the first American film to star Greta Garbo. It was very successful and launched her Hollywood career.
Info: https://vancouvercivictheatres.com/events/silent-movie-mondays-torrent-feb-12-2024/
Loreto Aramendi will present a Masterclass and Workshop on Saturday morning, February 17th at 9 am, at St James’ Anglican Church. Sponsored by the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, the Masterclass is an opportunity for students to receive valuable feedback on their performance by an expert — which Loreto certainly is ! And at 10.30 am that same morning, Loreto will present a Workshop. If you have ever wondered how organ stops are used to create the classic ‘organ sounds,’ how they can imitate the sound of various instruments of the orchestra, and how the organist uses registration aids, the Workshop will explain all.
The masterclass will be open to anyone who would like to observe.
Programme:
Vater unser im Himmelreich – Georg Böhm
Toccata en Fa, BuxWV 157 – Diderik Buxtehude
An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653 – J. S. Bach
Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 549 – J. S. Bach
Grand Choeur in B flat – Théodore Dubois
Andante Cantabile from Symphony No. 4) – Charles-Marie Widor
Suite du troisième ton – Denis Bédard
Berceuse (from Pièces en style libre) – Louis Vierne
Carillon de Westminster (from Pièces de fantaisie) – Louis Vierne
Marc D’Anjou studied the organ at the Conservatory of Music in Rimouski, Quebec, graduating in 1986 with first class honours awarded unanimously by the jury. He then studied improvisation with Richard Gagné and Rachel Laurin, and improvisation and French repertoire in Paris with Jean Galard. In 1980 he won the national organ finals in the junior category of the Baldwin Competition in Toronto. He received an honorable mention from the Sir Ernest McMillan Foundation in Toronto in 1989, and was also a remarkable finalist at the first Quebec Organ Competition in 1992. He is an active concert artist and accompanist, both in Canada and abroad. In addition to giving solo recitals, he is often a soloist with orchestras and ensembles, including the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. In 1998 he gave a recital and masterclass at Towson University (Baltimore); he gave a recital and participated in an improvisation match in Toulouse, France, in October 2006, and toured Ecuador in 2009, giving five concerts. In September 2011 he accompanied the prestigious Vancouver Chamber Choir in a concert recorded by the CBC. He has given recitals in various churches in Vancouver over the years, including Holy Rosary Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral.
From 1986 to 1992, Marc D’Anjou worked in organ building, for Orgues Marcel Bertrand. During the same period, he obtained the position of co-organist at the historic church of St-Jean-Baptiste in Quebec City, and became the principal organist there in 1991, remaining until 1993. In December 1993 he was chosen by competition to be the titular organist at the Quebec City Cathedral-Basilica, where he remained until he moved to Vancouver in May 2010. He was the Music Director (organist, pianist and choir director) at South Burnaby United Church from September 2010 until September 2012, during which time he founded the “Burnaby Chamber Choir” and was its artistic and music director. In May 2012 he again obtained the position of titular organist at the Quebec City Cathedral-Basilica, this time by acclamation, and became Music Director there in 2015, supervising the restoration of its 4 manual, 91 rank gallery organ (by Casavant Frères) and 2 manual, 27 rank chancel organ (by Létourneau). In July 2022 he accompanied the choir of St. Michael’s Cathedral (Toronto) during Vespers, which were presided over by Pope Francis at the Quebec City Cathedral-Basilica.
RBH Casavant Organ Opus 3055, 1969: 43 stops, 64 ranks, 3105 pipes
