Lutheran enclave

Virtuosity, eccentric sounds and intriguing instrument – a recent Cameron Carpenter concert in the Church of Peace turned into a real show. The American organist performed in a crowded church and played several encores, winning a standing ovation in the process.

He started briskly with Wagner’s music and repeatedly returned to Bach, while he also awed those present by playing Piazzola tango to arouse the public’s enthusiasm with his own improvisations once again.

The International Touring Organ, which stood in the centre of the church, was designed as such that it is the only one with its particular shape in the entire planet. It is easy to install and transport, does not require tedious tuning and, above all, expands the artistic sphere of a player – one can record and save any sounds through this medium. Sceptics do nonetheless argue that these “sounds from the speakers” are less natural in comparison to the one from the pipe organs.

Carpenter, whom critics believe is a genius at playing organs, often stresses that classic organs should belong in museums nowadays and he believes it is high time for instruments aided by computers and the latest technology.

But later, after the official concert, when Carpenter started to play on our newly restored large organs alongside an audience of guests including Bishop Waldemar Pytel and his wife – Bożena Pytel, he was clearly amazed. “Unbelievable, marvellous”, he repeated several times, showing his fascination for listening to the recently renovated instrument.

Carpenter was also surprised by the Organ’s capabilities. He admitted that they are as rich and fruity as they were a hundred years ago and that these sounds would be his ideal – says Maciej Bator, the cantor of the Church of Peace, who introduced Mr Carpenter to the secrets of the construction of the historical organs.

Carpenter’s concert on July 30th was one of the most important events of the seventeenth International Bach Festival, which will last until mid-August.