Welcome to the third concert of the year with the North Sydney Symphony Orchestra! Featuring works by Offenbach, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns, this concert brings together some of the most well-known organ works in the classical repertoire.

We open with the overture to Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers, or Orpheus in the Underworld, well-known for being a lampoon of Orpheus and Eurydice from Greek mythology. Despite being credited to Offenbach in popular culture, the overture was arranged by Carl Binder for the 1860 Vienna production of Orphée. Enjoy the drama, virtuosity, and of course the final Galop infernal, popularised by the Moulin Rouge as the can-can with its flouncing skirts.

We are then joined by Samuel Giddy on the organ performing Poulenc’s Organ Concerto. Samuel Giddy is one of Australia’s finest organists, having performed in different countries and competitions, and enjoys a varied career as not just a recitalist, but also as an educator and liturgical organist. The Organ Concerto was Poulenc’s first venture into the genre and is greatly influenced by Baroque masterpieces by Bach and Buxtehude, as well as Poulenc’s own Christian faith. The Concerto demonstrates the vast range of the organ – be swept away by the thunderous opening chords and indulge in the later idyllic melodies.

The concert closes with Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 “avec orgue”, popularly known as the Organ Symphony. Being Saint-Saëns’ last attempt at the symphonic form, he described himself as “ {having given} everything I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.” Indeed, the Symphony contains many of his trademark styles: virtuosic piano passages, lush Romantic-period harmonies, and of course the sonorous organ suitable for cathedrals and large halls.

It is certainly an occasion to witness a live performance of such powerful works for orchestra and organ. Book tickets now for what will be a very popular performance!