08 May, 2018

International concert organist Martin Setchell at Adelaide Town Hall

Martin Setchell, organist of Adelaide’s sister city Christchurch, New Zealand, will be performing at Adelaide Town Hall at 1pm on 16 May in a free community concert.

Martin Setchell is a regular performer across Europe, Asia and the United States, and is a fellow of United Kingdom’s Royal College of Organists.

With a repertoire ranging from Bach to the Star Wars soundtrack, Wagner’s Pilgrim’s Chorus to symphony pieces, there is sure to be something for everyone.

City of Adelaide Councillor, Phillip Martin, said he was looking forward to welcoming Martin Setchell to the historic Town Hall.

“Martin’s performance coincides with History Month and will give the community an opportunity to enjoy the stunning Adelaide Town Hall and appreciate its history, while listening to some beautiful music,” said Councillor Martin.

“Adelaide is a UNESCO City of Music, the only one in Australia, and this event ties together history and music in what is sure to be a lively and entertaining performance.

“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 old organ is in Tanunda at the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall and was restored by volunteers. It took them 14 years to complete the restoration work.

Martin Setchell is curator of the Rieger pipe organ in the Christchurch Town Hall for the Performing Arts (city organist), and University of Canterbury organist.

In 2008 he was honoured by the City of Christchurch, receiving a Civic Award for services to music in the community and the Town Hall organ in particular.

The organ concert will be the first of Adelaide Town Hall’s Organ Concert Series that has been made possible through City of Adelaide’s Live Music Action plan. There are four more concerts scheduled to be held in August, December (2018), February and May (2019).

Details

When: 1pm, Wednesday 16 May
Where: Adelaide Town Hall
Cost: Free
Bookings: No bookings required, all welcome
More information: www.adelaidetownhall.com.au

Paula Stevens