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Jammin' at St. James

Organ festival reprises its annual gathering of global stars
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By Brooke Edge
For The Prague Post
August 1st, 2007 issue

Jan Přerovský/THE PRAGUE POST
Bach is de rigueur, but Chřibková is more excited about playing Czech composer Petr Eben in this year's festival.
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International Organ Festival

When: Thursdays at 7, Aug. 2–Sept. 20
Where: St. James' Basilica (Malá Štupartská 6, Prague 1–Old Town)
Tickets: 350 Kč, available through Ticketportal and Via Musica and at the venue
For a complete schedule, check www.auditeorganum.cz

The interior of St. James’ Basilica is so opulent that it approaches sensory overload. Pink marble covers the floor; gilded angels, flowers and other accents embellish every column, frame and cranny; worn wooden pews in the center of the sanctuary face a tremendous golden altar; and arching over it all, a vaulted ceiling is covered with murals of majestic Christian images.
For all this grandeur, the church’s most prized possession is hidden away, tucked above the entrance and humbly flanked by everyday storage items like dusty extra pews and window panes. It’s the basilica’s absolutely magnificent organ.
The instrument itself is gorgeous, with 8,277 pipes ensconced in a facade of elaborate ornamentation. Given the instrument’s beauty and the animated playing necessitated by its intricate combination of keys, pedals and pulls, it’s almost sinful that the congregation sits with its back to the organ. But Irena Chřibková, resident organist at St. James, sees this seating situation as a benefit essential to listeners getting the full musical experience.
“When people see the church and listen to the organ, the atmosphere and the music fill them with spirit,” she says, gazing upon the sanctuary from the organ loft. “This is very special.”
So special, in fact, that organists from around the world travel to Prague to try their hands — and feet — at the gigantic instrument.
Because of the numerous requests, and a desire to share the church’s wealth with others, Chřibková organized the first International Organ Festival in Prague 12 years ago. This year the annual event continues through Sept. 20, with seven guest musicians taking their turn at the 302-year-old, Romantic-style organ.
The festival stretches over two months with one performance per week, Chřibková says, to set it apart from the innumerable other concerts given in Prague churches. The schedule also gives organ fans a bigger window of opportunity to take in performances.
“It’s good for the public, not being every day,” Chřibková says, referring to the tourist concerts performed constantly at nearby St. Nicholas and other high-traffic sites.
This year, as in the previous festivals organized by Chřibková, the two months will include performances by some stars of the international organ scene while maintaining an emphasis on Czech talent.
Chřibková will kick off the festival with a concert Aug. 2, accompanied by a full percussion arrangement. Along with pieces by Bach and Franck, her set will also feature a work by renowned Czech composer and organist Petr Eben. “I can truly say he is the best organ composer in the world today,” Chřibková says. Eben’s work will be performed again the following week, in a concert by Austrian organist Gunther Rost.
Another Czech contribution to the festival will be the Aug. 23 performance of Aleš Bárta, an international star who has toured extensively in the United States, Japan, China and Russia. Throughout the early 1980s, he consistently walked away with first prize at numerous international competitions, including the 1984 Prague Spring competition. He will be playing pieces by Brahms, Liszt and Bach.
Chřibková is most excited, however, about two organists coming from France. She studied there as part of her organ education, and holds the French school of organ music in high regard.
“French organ music is very important, very special for organists,” she explains. “It is very colorful.” Bringing that color to life will be Maurice Clerc, performing Aug. 16, and Marie-Claire Alain, closing the festival Sept. 20.
Clerc, an international award-winning organist, specializes in French organ compositions of the 19th and 20th centuries. He will perform works by Vierne, Cochereau and Langlais, among others, at the festival.
Alain’s concert is an event that Chřibková has been anticipating for the entire life of the festival. At 81 years of age, Alain has given more than 2,000 performances and is sought after worldwide for her concerts and instruction. She has been lauded by critics as “an organ legend of our times,” collecting accolades and titles throughout Europe and the United States.
“She is a legend in organ music,” Chřibková says with a wide smile. “Her playing is very enthusiastic.” Alain last performed in Prague 20 years ago; this long-awaited return engagement will include a piece by her late brother Jehan Alain, a celebrated organist and composer who was killed at only 29 years of age during a World War II battle.
Chřibková puts great effort into making each installment of the International Organ Festival unique and interesting for both audience members and visiting performers. Last year, she and the guest organists put an emphasis on improvisation; this year will feature the work of a living legend. And she’s already mulling over what incarnation the 13th International Organ Festival will take next year.
“No two organs are the same,” Chřibková notes. And neither should any organ festival be.

Brooke Edge can be reached at features@praguepost.com


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