With the title “The two Greek goddesses of the church organ”, the Royal Festival Hall welcomes Ourania Gassiu, organist of the Athens Concert Hall, and Eleni Keventsidou to the special events it organizes this year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first concert of its church organ organ.

The internationally acclaimed soloists, who were both fellows of the Friends of Music Society’s church organ training program and now excel as soloists around the world, were delighted to accept the Royal Festival Hall’s honorary invitation. They will take part in a major celebratory concert on Friday 28 June in the historic British Hall, presenting a particularly charming program of original works as well as inspired transcriptions for church organ.

In addition to famous compositions for solo instrument by César Franck, Pierre Cosereau, Franz Liszt and Max Reger, listeners will also have the rare opportunity to hear an excerpt from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Second Brandenburg Concerto in transcription for four hands as and a contemporary work for church organ duet by the English composer Kenneth Layton.

The two organists talk enthusiastically about their appearance at the Royal Festival Hall

“It is my great pleasure to return to the Royal Festival Hall this year in a celebratory concert celebrating 70 years of the church organ in this very important hall. We are well acquainted with this particular church organ, as a few years ago I had the honor of presenting it at an event within the framework of the Women of the World Festival”, says Ourania Gassiou and declares that she is excited to have the opportunity to be at the Royal Festival Hall again.

“Indeed, this time, I will share the bench of the instrument with Eleni Keventsidou, a friend and colleague with whom we had a common beginning as scholarships of the “Friends of Music” Association, in 1998. During these 26 years that have passed , we have played pieces for four hands and four feet together, quite a few times! I am very happy that we will meet again on stage, in the concert in June, which will certainly be a milestone for the course of both of us” he adds.

For her part, Eleni Keventsidou notes that they could not believe it, when they were offered to participate in the series of concerts for the 70th anniversary of the first concert of the church organ of the Royal Festival Hall, the jewel of this famous concert hall .

“Its construction was completed in 1954 under the guidance of Ralph Downes, teacher of Nicolas Kynaston. I was lucky enough to participate in the last recording before its reconstruction (2005-2007) and its complete restoration in 2014. It is a special honor for us, as organists and as Greek women, to present a program of solo compositions and works for 4 hands and feet on the Royal Festival Hall’s 7,866-yard organ. Where great composers and soloists once gave recitals, such as Pierre Cochereau, Maurice Duruflé, André Marchal, Jean Demessieux, Marcel Dupré, Nicolas Kynaston, whose tradition is continued today by Iveta Apkalna, Olivier Latry, Isabelle Demers, among others. We have an exciting program lined up for the instrument’s ‘birthday’, and I can’t wait to share the Royal Festival Hall stage with Urania Gassiou on 28 June!” points out.

See more about Ourania Gassiou and Eleni Keventsidou’s celebratory concert at the Royal Festival Hall at https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/classical-music/organ-70-ourania-gassiou-eleni-keventsidou? eventId=965725

Announcement of specialization scholarships in the church organ

The “Friends of Music” Association, in collaboration with the Athens Concert Hall, announces two two-year scholarships for specialization in the church organ, taught by the distinguished soloist and organist of the Concert Hall Ourania Gassiou. The special study program, starting in the fall of 2024, will take place in the ecclesiastical organ of the Palace. The scholarships are kindly sponsored by Mrs. Efis Averof and Mrs. Iolis Paki. Deadline for submitting applications for participation in the first phase: 8.5.2024.