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There are two main competitions, the '''interpretation competition''' and the '''improvisation competition''' (formerly known as the '''Tournemire Prize'''). Judges have included [[Piet Kee]], [[Marie-Claire Alain]], [[Anton Heiller]], [[Ralph Downes]], [[Harry Croft-Jackson]], [[Thomas Trotter (musician)|Thomas Trotter]], [[Ton Koopman]], [[Naji Hakim]], [[Daniel Roth (organist)|Daniel Roth]] and [[David Sanger (organist)|David Sanger]]. The competition is considered prestigious, as may be judged by the list of past winners (starting with Susan Landale in 1963 and [[Gillian Weir]] in 1964), and judges have occasionally decided not to award first prize.
There are two main competitions, the '''interpretation competition''' and the '''improvisation competition''' (formerly known as the '''Tournemire Prize'''). Judges have included [[Piet Kee]], [[Marie-Claire Alain]], [[Anton Heiller]], [[Ralph Downes]], [[Harry Croft-Jackson]], [[Thomas Trotter (musician)|Thomas Trotter]], [[Ton Koopman]], [[Naji Hakim]], [[Daniel Roth (organist)|Daniel Roth]] and [[David Sanger (organist)|David Sanger]]. The competition is considered prestigious, as may be judged by the list of past winners (starting with Susan Landale in 1963 and [[Gillian Weir]] in 1964), and judges have occasionally decided not to award first prize.


The festival's associated concert series includes large orchestral and choral works, chamber music and solo performances, as well as evening jazz. The Three Choirs concert is an audience favourite, in which over the years the choristers of [[St Albans Cathedral]] have been joined by many of England's most celebrated cathedral choirs.
The festival's associated concert series includes large orchestral and choral works, chamber music and solo performances, as well as evening jazz. The Three Choirs concert is an audience favourite, in which over the years the choristers of [[St Albans Cathedral]] have been joined by many of England's most celebrated cathedral choirs (for instance, in 2013 [[Salisbury Cathedral Choir|Salisbury Cathedral]] & [[The Minster School, York|York Minster]], in 2015 [[Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford]] and [[Westminster Cathedral#Choir|Westminster Cathedral]], and in 2017 [[St Paul's Cathedral#Choir|St Paul's Cathedral]] & [[Temple Church#Music at the Temple Church|Temple Church]]).


The IOF Fringe presents community-focused performances in a wide range of formal and unconventional venues.
The IOF Fringe presents community-focused performances in a wide range of formal and unconventional venues.

Revision as of 18:45, 23 November 2021

The International Organ Festival (IOF) is a biennial music festival and organ competition held in St Albans, England since 1963. Originally held annually, it was changed to every two years in 1965 due to the complexity of organising the increasingly ambitious programme. The festival is run mainly by volunteers.

Background

The festival was conceived by Peter Hurford to celebrate the building of the new organ in St Albans Cathedral by Harrison & Harrison. The main competitions are still conducted on this instrument, its eclectic style and modern electropneumatic action now complemented by another self-contained tracker action instrument which The International Organ Festival Society, the charity which runs the Festival, has had built for its own use and sited at St Saviour's Church, St Albans. This was built by Peter Collins in the style of, and in homage to, the early 18th century German organ builder Andreas Silbermann. There is a new (2005) organ in St Peter's Church, St Albans by Mander Organs, which has played a role in the festival and competitions since 2007. Recent competitions have also visited London, with competition rounds regularly held at Christ Church Spitalfields and, in 2017, a concerto final at St John's Smith Square.

There are two main competitions, the interpretation competition and the improvisation competition (formerly known as the Tournemire Prize). Judges have included Piet Kee, Marie-Claire Alain, Anton Heiller, Ralph Downes, Harry Croft-Jackson, Thomas Trotter, Ton Koopman, Naji Hakim, Daniel Roth and David Sanger. The competition is considered prestigious, as may be judged by the list of past winners (starting with Susan Landale in 1963 and Gillian Weir in 1964), and judges have occasionally decided not to award first prize.

The festival's associated concert series includes large orchestral and choral works, chamber music and solo performances, as well as evening jazz. The Three Choirs concert is an audience favourite, in which over the years the choristers of St Albans Cathedral have been joined by many of England's most celebrated cathedral choirs (for instance, in 2013 Salisbury Cathedral & York Minster, in 2015 Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and Westminster Cathedral, and in 2017 St Paul's Cathedral & Temple Church).

The IOF Fringe presents community-focused performances in a wide range of formal and unconventional venues.

Many of the great orchestras (the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and others) have played in the Festival, and there have been recitals and concerts from performers such as John Williams, Sarah Walker, Musica Antiqua Köln, Evelyn Glennie, Emma Kirkby, James Bowman and Julian Perkins. Concerts have sometimes been broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Many concerts take place in the Cathedral, but the Festival takes place all over St Albans with other regular venues including St Peter's Church and St Saviour's Church.

The current Artistic Director is David Titterington, professor of organ at the Royal Academy of Music.

The 2021 festival and competitions will take place from 5 to 17 July.

The Fringe

In 2007 for the first time St Albans Festival came together with the International Organ Festival to provide a fringe programme. Events were mostly outdoors in historic parts of the City such as in front of the Clock Tower and in the Tudor streets of St Michael's or in the Alban Arena. Artists taking part included Seth Lakeman, The Swanvesta Social Club and Isla St Clair.

Previously, cabaret events and other entertainment had been run as part of the festival, including performances from Richard Stilgoe, Jake Thackray, Instant Sunshine and others.

Past winners

The following individuals have won prizes at the festival.[1]

Interpretation competition

Improvisation competition

References

  1. ^ Hamill, Steve (2014-03-31). "St. Albans International Organ Festival Past Prize Winners" (PDF). St Albans International Organ Festival. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
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