09 Aug, 2018

Local concert organist Peter Kelsall to perform at Adelaide Town Hall

Local organist Peter Kelsall will perform the second in a series of free lunchtime concerts at the Adelaide Town Hall.

This follows the success of the free lunchtime concert held in May which featured international performer Martin Setchell.

Peter is a local organist who has been the organist and choir director at Pilgrim Uniting Church in the city since 1995. Peter has worked with highly distinguished organists including Thomas Trotter, David Goode, Benjamin Bayl, Clive Driskill-Smith, Simon Preston, John Scott and Daniel Roth.

He has a particular interest in the music of J.S. Bach, as well as organ and choral music from 20th century England and France.

Peter is in demand as an accompanist and has performed with several choirs including the Adelaide Chamber Singers, Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus, Elder Conservatorium Chorale and the Adelaide and Flinders Universities Choral Societies.

Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese said that he was looking forward to welcoming Peter Kelsall to the historic Town Hall.

“Peter is a well-respected and admired organist in the City of Adelaide with experience performing at Adelaide Town Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral, Pilgrim Church and he has also performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra on many occasions.

“Peter’s performance will give the community an opportunity to enjoy the stunning Adelaide Town Hall and appreciate its history while listening to some beautiful music,” said the Lord Mayor.

“Adelaide is a UNESCO City of Music, the only one in Australia, and this event brings together the history of the Town Hall with what is sure to be a wonderful afternoon of musical entertainment.

“The Town Hall organ is really something to see and hear, so I urge you to come along to this free community concert to see a master organ player at work.”

The original Town Hall organ was replaced in 1990 with the current organ, which was built in Suffolk, England by J.W. Walker & Sons. It was the largest mechanical-action instrument to have been built in the United Kingdom for 100 years. It has 61 stops distributed over four keyboards and 4,500 handmade pipes.

The organ concert will be the second of Adelaide Town Hall’s Organ Concert Series that has been made possible through the City of Adelaide’s Live Music Action plan. There are two more concerts scheduled to be held in December this year and May next year.

Details
When: 12.30pm, Wednesday 15th August
Where: Adelaide Town Hall
Cost: Free
Bookings: No bookings required, all welcome
More information: www.adelaidetownhall.com.au

Paula Stevens