Andrew Caskie, organist of Palmerston Place Church, Edinburgh presents the work La Nativité du Seigneur (Messiaen)

Saturday 28th November 2015 at 7:30pm – Dunfermline Abbey

Saturday 5th December 2015 at 7:30pm – Palmerston Place Church, Edinburgh

Both Performances include readings and admission is free

Andrew has been Director of Music at Palmerston Place Church since 2003 and can usually be found either playing the organ, conducting the choir, or playing the piano with the praise band. When not doing any of the above he works in the engineering sector.

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La Nativité du Seigneur (The Nativity of the Lord or The Birth of the Saviour) is a work for organ, written by the French composer Olivier Messiaen in 1935.

La Nativité du Seigneur is a testament to Messiaen’s Christian faith, being divided into nine “meditations” inspired by the birth of Jesus. In volume one, Messiaen outlines his inspirations, both theological, instrumental and compositional. As the composer notes in his preface, he sought “the emotion and sincerity first”.The work was written by the composer at the age of 27 years during the summer of 1935 while he was in residence at Grenoble near the French Alps. Messiaen wrote that in addition to theology, the movements were inspired by the mountains, as well as the stained glass windows in medieval cathedrals.

The work was premiered on 27 February 1936 on the organ of La Trinité, Paris, shared among three players: Daniel-Lesur (1–3), Jean Langlais (4–6), and Jean-Jacques Grunenwald (7–9).

The work is in nine movements, each depicting an image or concept from the birth of Jesus. In publication, the work is divided over four books.

1. La vierge et l’enfant (The Virgin and Child)
2. Les bergers (The Shepherds)
3. Desseins éternels (Eternal designs)
4. Le verbe (The Word)
5. Les enfants de Dieu (The Children of God)
6. Les anges (The Angels)
7. Jésus accepte la souffrance (Jesus accepts suffering)
8. Les mages (The Magi)
9. Dieu parmi nous (God Among Us)

The work is one of the earliest to feature elements that were to become key to Messiaen’s later compositions, such as the extensive use of the composer’s own modes of limited transposition, as well as influence from birdsong, and the meters and rhythms of Ancient Greek and traditional Indian music.

In 1967, Richard Franko Goldman wrote, “One is, indeed, tempted to say that the work is a masterpiece, and one of the great organ works of all time. It is certainly monumental and impressive, original and memorable, with or without the theoretical and mystical explanation the composer himself gives out.”

Feargus Egan – Cello 

Feargus is a  graduate of the RCM with a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction, where he studied with Melissa Phelps. While studying there he was a scholar supported by the Bliss Trust. In 2011 he graduated with a BMus from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with first class honours. At the RCM he was a member of the Arbellio string quartet, winning the Helen Just and Susan Connell prize, and attending the 7th Trondheim International Chamber Music Academy. Feargus performed with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera on their apprenticeship scheme in 2010, in an award-winning world premiere version of Prokofiev’s War and Peace. In February and April 2011 he performed in tours with the Scottish Ensemble, and most recently was section co-principal of the RCM Symphony orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink. Feargus has travelled widely as principal cello of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Camerata Scotland and contemporary ensemble NYOS Futures, touring Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Holland and Poland.

This month we will be celebrating a major landmark in the Kelvingrove Daily Organ Recitals – a world record – Recital no. 3,000. As you know the series is the only free daily organ recitals anywhere in the world and has proved to be one of the Gallery’s most popular features.
The concert will be on SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER 3.00pm – 4.15pm

Entry is free
This special celebration concert will feature Kevin Bowyer, Christopher Nickol and Duncan Sinclair playing a variety of musical styles and genres. Music will include Bach, Widor, Lemare, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Tackle and Messiaen and a few surprise in between! 

Joined by the Bearsden Choir choral music will include Excerpts from Faure Requiem, Hadyn Te Deum and the concert will end with the spectacular finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture for organ with Choir, Bells, Canons and lighting effects!’