By Tom Reber, October 24, 2024, VOL. 6 ISSUE 4
Last November, over 120 people attended the Organ concert at St Pauls’ Church in Fort Erie to hear the historic pipe organ fill the sanctuary with music. The organ is a testament to over 120 years of local craftsmen on both sides of the border. The concert was free but the enthusiastic audience made generous free will offerings that will help maintain this instrument in the future.
“This event was incredibly successful, it was such a thrill to let the people of Fort Erie enjoy one of their local treasures,” recalls Chris Bohdanowicz, Music Director at St Paul’s. “Almost immediately, I started thinking of how to follow this up. The sound of full organ is exhilarating, but also inescapable. Back in the 70’s when people in the United States were concerned over the decibel level of the French-Anglo supersonic Concorde, a sign was posted at the entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral: Please be advised that sound of the pipe organ in this church exceeds the decibel level of a Concorde jet! So I thought the audience’s ears needed a foil, kind of like a hot and cold hydrotherapy that people experience at Nordic spas. This where the sweet, gentle sound of an acoustic guitar could refresh ears after experiencing organ intensity.”
When Chris described the concept to Toronto composer and guitarist Mark Sepic, he was immediately enthusiastic: “This combination is quite bold and daring, two contrasting plates of sonic food that somehow meet.”
The audience will be rewarded with the iconic Toccata and Fugue in D minor as well as a showpiece piece by Franck that would conjures the majesty of French Catherdrals.
Chris is also programming the cheeky Variations on Amazing Grace ( a crowd favourite last year) by Canadian composer Denis Bédard and Hohzo by a native American Navajo composer Connor Chee.” There is new organ music written by people who are still alive!” says Chris.
Mark Sepic will treat the audience with his original compositions in various styles: passionate Flamenco, jazzy Bluegrass Cockburn , the lively Afro Brazilian Samba, and and the stylish Afro Cuban Rumba. He will bring several guitars including his treasured Romero Falmenco Guitar.
The concert will culminate with Piece written for Organ and Acoustic Guitar by recently departed New York Composer Chris DeBlasio. “It has moments of eerie dissonance and sublime beauty,” says Mark.
St Paul’s sanctuary is a small chapel-like venue with vaulted ceilings tall enough to give the pipe organ resonance yet small enough to provide a perfect ambience for the sweet intimate sounds of an acoustic guitar. This year’s concert is on Sunday November 17 at 3 pm at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 32 Idylewylde St Fort Erie. The concert is free but free will offerings will be accepted.
