COCKBURN ORGAN RECITAL

Christopher Cockburn will give an organ recital which takes the form of a fund-raising concert at St John’s Anglican Church in Pinetown on May 22.

If you have only ever thought of the pipe organ as an instrument that plays hymns, come and find out what else it can do – you might be surprised!

Dr Cockburn, who lectures in Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has given recitals throughout South Africa as well as in England. He holds a Masters degree in Performance from the University of Cape Town, Fellowship diplomas from the Royal College of Organists and Trinity College of Music (London), and recently completed a doctorate in Musicology at UKZN.

He has appeared as an organ soloist with orchestras in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and has also been the accompanist for many performances by choirs such as the Chanticleer Singers of Johannesburg, the Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music Society, the Durban Symphonic Choir and the Durban Chamber Choir.

In this recital he will play a varied selection of organ music chosen to highlight the characteristic features of the instrument at St John’s. There will be music from the 17th to the 21st century, by composers from Germany, Austria, Italy, France, England, the United States, and South Africa.

The recital takes place at 16h00 on May 22 at St John’s Anglican Church of St John the Baptist in Pinetown. Tickets R50 (R80 for seats with a view of the organ console) booked by phoning the Parish Secretary at the St John’s Church Office (031 702 0712, weekdays from 08h00 to 13h00) or Mrs Eve Rayner (after hours on 031 701 6907).

Refreshments will be served after the recital, which should end at approximately 17h15. There is plenty of secure parking at the Church (entrance from Payne Street, off St John’s Avenue).