Brown Logo

The News Service
38 Brown Street / Box R
Providence RI 02912

401 863-2476
Fax 863-9595

Distributed September 9, 2003
Contact Mary Jo Curtis



News
September 19 and 21, 2003
Concerts, master class to celebrate centennial of Hutchings-Votey organ

Brown will celebrate the 100th birthday of its Hutchings-Votey organ in a concert featuring University Organist Mark Steinbach and the Brown University Chorus on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003, at 8 p.m. in Sayles Hall. The centennial observance will continue on Sunday, Sept. 21, when noted British organist David Briggs will give a recital at 3 p.m. and a master class at 5 p.m. in Sayles Hall. All three events are free and open to the public.


PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown will celebrate the 100th birthday of its Hutchings-Votey organ during two special performances, including one by the internationally acclaimed organist emeritus of England’s Gloucester Cathedral, David Briggs.

The University will begin its centennial observance with a concert featuring University Organist Mark Steinbach and the Brown University Chorus on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003, at 8 p.m. in Sayles Hall. The celebration will continue on Sunday, Sept. 21, when Briggs gives a recital at 3 p.m. and a master class on improvisation at 5 p.m. in Sayles Hall. All three events are free and open to the public.

Editors: Color photographs of the instrument are available through the News Service.

Briggs

Organist David Briggs
Noted concert organist and improviser David Briggs will perform a recital for the centennial of the Hutchings-Votey organ at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, in Sayles Hall.

David Briggs was the first British winner of the coveted Tournemire Prize at the St. Albans International Improvisation Competition and won the Paisley International Improvisation Competition. He currently teaches improvisation at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music and Oxford University. He directed music for eight years at Gloucester Cathedral, after holding similar positions at Truro and Hereford Cathedrals and at King’s College, Cambridge, where he was organ scholar. He has composed many of the works he has performed, and he has made 17 solo commercial recordings. Considered one of the most noted concert organists of his generation, Briggs will give some 50 concerts around the globe this year. The Los Angeles Times has called his playing “virtuosic” and England’s Gramophone has called his performances “stunning.”

The Hutchings-Votey Organ

Organ

 
The Sayles Hall organ is the largest remaining Hutchings-Votey organ of its type. Built by the Hutchings-Votey Organ Company of Boston, it was given to Brown in 1903 by Lucian Sharpe, class of 1893, in memory of his parents. To receive the organ, which weighs about 25 tons and has more than 3,000 pipes ranging from two to 32 feet in height, the old gallery in Sayles Hall was replaced by a new one with a projecting center. The first recital on the organ was given at Commencement in 1903 by eminent Belgian organist Chevalier August Wiegand. In 1949 the organ was completely renovated, which involved the installation of a new console laid out by the Schantz Organ Company. The last restoration was done by the Potter-Rathbun Company of Cranston, R.I., in 1990; the restored organ was rededicated on Commencement Weekend of 1992 with a performance of a new work by Stephen Scott ’69 M.A. by then University organist Wayne Schneider.

For more information on these events, call the Office of The Chaplain and Religious Life at (401) 863-2344. Sayles Hall is handicapped accessible.

######


News Service Home  |  Top of File  |  e-Subscribe  |  Brown Home Page