Every three years, we welcome 10 of the brightest young organists from around the globe to compete before a panel of renowned judges … all in hopes of garnering the $40,000 Pierre S. du Pont First Prize. The 2019 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition is fast approaching (preliminary rounds are held June 18 and 19 and the final round June 22), but before the competitors arrive here at our Gardens, they must first design their repertoire according to our guidelines.
It’s a tough process, choosing selections that will most impress the judges and guests … as well as selections that will best showcase the unique capabilities of The Longwood Organ. Our competitors must walk the fine line between using our organ effectively and succumbing to the temptation to use every bell and whistle.
Now that these rising organ stars have selected their competition repertoire, sure to captivate every listener, we asked what piece they are most looking forward to performing.
Rashaan Allwood, 24, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
“I am most looking forward to performing Olivier Messiaen’s Alleluias sereins d'une âme qui desire le ciel, from L'ascension, because I think The Longwood Organ and all of its devices is the perfect organ to allow that piece to truly ascend.”
—Rashaan AllwoodBryan Anderson, 26, Stockbridge, GA, US
“This is difficult to answer! I really love all the music that I am planning to play; one that I’m particularly excited about is a new ‘re-transcription’ of the orchestration of Maurice Duruflé’s Scherzo pour Orchestra, which I think will represent something of the composer’s evolving intent for the work.”
—Bryan AndersonTyler Boehmer, 27, Cardston, Alberta, Canada
“I have a special connection with all the pieces that I’ve chosen for the competition, but the one I am most excited about is a transcription of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dance No. 3. I worked for many hours with my incredible friend Mark Campbell poring over the orchestral score, transposing the instruments, making decisions about the importance and prominence (or lack thereof) of each part. In the end, I think the final product is absolutely awesome, and beyond that, I feel so connected to this piece because of the time I have personally taken to transcribe it.”
—Tyler BoehmerThomas Gaynor, 27, Wellington, New Zealand
“I’m most looking forward to playing the overture to Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger. It’s such gloriously rich music and I think it will sound fantastic in the Ballroom with the myriad of stop combinations possible.”
—Thomas GaynorNathaniel Gumbs, 30, Bronx, NY, US
“I’m really looking forward to playing Harmonies du Soir by Sigfrid Karg-Elert. It is a beautiful lyrical piece that has become very dear to me and will show the various colors of The Longwood Organ.”
—Nathaniel GumbsSebastian Heindl, 21, Leipzig, Germany
“On one hand it is Johann Sebastian Bach’s Passacaglia in C minor, which is the connection to my musical origin. On the other hand, my own transcription of Olivier Messiaen’s Alleluia sur la Trompette, Alleluia sur la Cymbal, which is a great showpiece for all the percussion stops at Longwood. I think very deep inside Messiaen and Bach have some similarities in their spiritual and musical genetic code.”
—Sebastian HeindlChase Loomer, 22, Huntersville, NC, US
“Each piece on the program presents an opportunity to create a unique musical experience, so I am looking forward to performing every piece on the program. However, The Longwood Organ is famous for its ability to bring transcriptions to life, so I am especially looking forward to performing works by Antonín Dvořák and Camille Saint-Saëns. In addition, Max Reger’s Sonata No. 2 is a work that is seldom heard yet incredibly moving, so I am looking forward to sharing that particular piece as well.”
—Chase LoomerColin MacKnight, 25, Bethesda, MD, US
“It’s hard to choose one because I really love everything that I’m playing and I’m looking forward to different pieces for different reasons, but if I have to choose, it would probably be Franz Liszt’s Les preludes (if I make finals!). It’s such an incredible piece, and at 17 minutes, there’s time to really show off an instrument.”
—Colin MacKnightJustin Maxey, 30, Windner, GA, US
“Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde (by Richard Wagner). It is simply one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written and I think it will sound wonderful on The Longwood Organ.”
—Justin MaxeyGrant Wareham, 22, Dayton, OH, US
“I’m very excited to play my transcription of the finale of Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. I’ve loved that piece ever since playing it in my high school orchestra as a violinist. It’s been a dream come true to be able to transcribe it and premiere it for this competition.”
—Grant WarehamCome see these 10 young talents pull out all the stops with their daring programs and dazzling performances! Learn more and buy tickets.
