Four young Auckland organists will lead the 110th birthday celebrations of the Auckland Town Hall organ.  

Both the heritage-listed Hall and its magnificent pipe organ were inaugurated in 1911, after money for the country's largest concert organ was donated by Sir Henry Brett, former mayor of Auckland and owner of the Auckland Star newspaper, in support of his “desire to improve the standard of music in our city.”  

These four young musicians will set out to prove he has got what he hoped for. Between them, they will perform major works by JS Bach, spectacular pieces from the French repertoire, and familiar British fare. 

Programme:

Rebecca-Soojung Lee
J S BACH: Fantasia and Fugue in G minor BWV 542
C TOURNEMIRE: 'Fantaisie' from Epiphania Domini of L’orgue mystique

Jaime Taylor
J S BACH: Fugue in D Minor (The Giant) BWV 680
C H H PARRY: Chorale Prelude on Eventide
L VIERNE: 24 Pieces en style libre Op 31 No 20 Pastorale
E ELGAR: Imperial March Op.32

Stig Gilbert
J S BACH: Prelude and Fugue in A minor BWV 543
L VIERNE: 'Fantasy' Suite No 4 Naiades

Zosia Herlihy-O’Brien
W WALTON: Crown Imperial
J S BACH: Wachet Auf
L VIERNE: Symphonie No 1 'Final'

About the Organists:

Jaime Taylor 
Fifteen-year-old Jaime Taylor, the youngest of the group, already has an LTCL diploma with Distinction in piano and is working towards diplomas in organ and violin. In 2019, he won the Mozart Piano Concerto competition of the NZ International Young Artists Festival. 

Rebecca-Soojung Lee 
In 2020, Rebecca-Soojung Lee graduated BMus with first-class honours in organ performance from the University of Auckland. She has performed with the APO, the Auckland Youth Orchestra, the NZSO National Youth Orchestra and has given several solo recitals. 

Stig Gilbert 
Stig Gilbert, aged 23, graduated BMus in classical piano performance in 2018 from the University of Auckland. Since falling in “love” with the organ, he is now pursuing a Master’s degree in organ performance. Stig is an organ scholar at the Auckland Cathedral of St. Patrick and St Joseph. 

Zosia Herlihy-O’Brien 
Nineteen- year-old Zosia Herlihy-O’Brien plays almost everything – piano, organ, violin and harp. She is Associate Concert Master of the Auckland Youth Orchestra and the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, and in her final year of a Bachelor degree, is now studying conducting. 

Learn more about the Auckland Town Hall Organ Trust.