Cameron Carpenter is one of the greatest organists of all time, a phenomenon endowed with unearthly talent. He transcends all borders and has changed the way how the playing of large organs is perceived. Had he lived a hundred years ago, the history of organ music would have taken an entirely different shape – says Jan Tomasz Adamus, the artistic director of the International Bach Festival.
The 35-year-old American will play on a specially built organs – the so-called international touring organs, but he will primarily perform using the large, restored organs of the Church of Peace in Swidnica.
The seventeenth-century instrument, which has 62 registers, fell silent for several years before the renovation work again allowed its sound to be enjoyed by the masses at festivals.
The large organs will also be heard during the three festival Sundays – please feel welcome to sing along to the songs as the stars perform.
The musical art that will fill the two festival weeks in Swidnica and the surrounding towns will include performances by world-class stars such as the following: Akademie für alte Musik Berlin, Le Poème Harmonique & Vincent Dumestre, Café Zimmermann, La Venexiana, Capella Cracoviensis & Matteo Messori, Bach Academy & Fabio Bonizzoni.
Among the soloists are violinist Robert Bachar and Jorge Jimenez, Mariusz Klimsiak (playing on historical piano) and flutist Peter Holtslag.
The festival lasts from 29 July to 15 August (see www.bach.pl for more details).
