News Release:
International performer for 2005 Bach Festival
| Date 2/12/03 No 219/03 The departing Director of Armidale's Bach Festival, Terry Norman, has scored a national coup by arranging for an internationally-acclaimed harpsichordist to play at the third Festival. Bob van Asperen, who holds masterclasses for harpsichord at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, and performs extensively, will be a main attraction at the Bach Festival in 2005. The news comes as Dr Norman prepares to launch next year’s Festival at St Mary’s Cathedral next week, on Thursday 11 December. There, Dr Norman will play a program of Christmas music, including two major works by Bach, music by d’Aquin, Pasquini and Messiaen, and an improvisation. “Bob van Asperen playing at the Bach Festival in 2005 ensures the event will continue for years to come and be a major drawcard for the New England region,” Dr Norman said.
|
Born in 1947, Bob van Asperen is one of the most well-known specialists of early music for harpsichord, clavichord and organ, and is also known as a conductor and musicologist. Besides his international career he has made numerous recordings (including the first complete recording of Toccatas BWV 910-916 and the Bach 2000 edition of Toccatas 910-916), many of which have received important awards. A coup for the 2004 festival will be the joint performance by The Song Company and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra in February. This will be the final Bach Festival for Dr Norman, an organist, harpsichordist and choral conductor in Armidale, who takes up his new position next year as Director of Music at St. Mary’s Church in Bridgwater, Somerset, England. Media contact: Dr Terry Norman on (02) 6771 1407 or Lydia Clifford
(at UNE) on (02) 6773 2779. |
