Konzert mit Anthony Halliday in Maria Laach

On Friday, July 17, the most traveled artist in the history of the Laacher organ concerts, Anthony Halliday from Melbourne/Australia, will perform at 7.00 p.m. on the abbey organs. In addition to his own arrangements of works by Beethoven (from his 6th Symphony and "The Consecration of the House") and Mozart (Church Sonata in C major), he will conclude with the spectacular finale of the 3rd Symphony op. 78, the "Organ Symphony" for 2 pianos, organ, and large orchestra by Camille Saint-Saëns in his own transcription for solo organ.

This final work in the program is performed at the renewed request of church organist Krahforst, who heard Halliday with this stunning, gripping, and captivating sound painting nearly 20 years ago.

Anthony Halliday  is invited annually to piano and organ concerts as well as performances throughout Europe and Australasia. His playing has been highly praised by several internationally renowned conductors. He won the ABC Commonwealth Concerto Competition with Bartók's second piano concerto, accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and he recorded all 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven. Additionally, he memorized the complete 48 preludes and fugues from J. S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. In a rare achievement, he won all seven first prizes at the Royal College of Organists, London Fellowship examinations, and the silver medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians, London. He is the deputy music director and principal organist at St. Francis Church and the Blessed Sacrament Community in Melbourne. Concert reviews: “One of the greatest organists in the world” (Lefford Volkszeitung, Germany); “Grandmaster of keyboard instruments” (El Diario, Spain)

Total duration: approximately 60 minutes. Entrance is free; at the end, there will be a collection for the support of the Laacher organ concerts.

Warm invitation to this splendid program.