45 minutes C

Orgelpark, a very special venue in Amsterdam, organised a 75th birhtday celebration concert for composer Tom Johnson. The Asko Kamerkoor, 5 organ players and myself performed several pieces. Yes, Frank Tinkelenberg was there! (see other blogs about this Tom Johnson piece). After the intermission the piece titled Orgelpark Color Chart was performed. Four organs playing c’s in all registers, in all possible color combinations. 45 minutes. I fell asleep for a couple of seconds a few times. And that was nice, too. The piece is an interesting sonic experience. I thought every composer that wants to write for the organs of Orgelpark should hear it. The most striking aspect of the concert today for me were all the religious connations in Johnson’s music. Wesley’s Challange uses a text, straight from an 18th century hymn book. And the other title Trinity says it all. I would like to invite the Asko Kamerkoor to the Old Church in Amsterdam to come and sing it!