Gerben Mourik (organ)
Mornington Singers
Orla Flanagan (director)
with introductory talk by Fr Patrick Claffey (Trinity College Dublin) at 7:30PM

This concert is set in the sumptuous surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral. It explores some of the most popular chorales by Martin Luther himself, in a variety of musical forms and settings from over four centuries. It centres around organ improvisations by gifted young Dutch organist Gerben Mourik, winner of many international awards including the coveted St Alban’s International Improvisation Competition.

Ireland’s acclaimed chamber choir the Mornington Singers, under the direction of Orla Flanagan, sing music showcasing the extraordinary influence of the chorale. It includes settings by Michael Altenburg, Michael Praetorius, Samuel Scheidt, Johannes Brahms and Melchior Franck. Chorales include Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, Christ lag in Todesbanden, Es ist das heil uns kommen her and Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.

A feature of this concert will be its participatory nature, with the audience invited to join in singing some of the chorales, thereby taking the role of the congregation in a traditional Lutheran service. It will be led by singers attending an afternoon introductory rehearsal, followed by the pre-concert talk on Martin Luther and his legacy.