This is an archive of news articles from February 2005. Current news articles can be found here and an archive index can be found here. Information in this archive may no longer be valid.

• The Organ and Musical Opinion at Classicalive
  Classicalive, the first classical music exhibition and event of its kind in the UK, runs from the 18th to 20th of March. The Organ will be there with Musical Opinion on stand E131. Come and say hello to members of both editorial teams and take part in our competitions to win CDs and DVDs. Classicalive includes live performances, music therapy, masterclasses, and more. Classicalive is held at the National Hall in London's Olympia, and full details are on the Classicalive website.
  
  
• Reading Concert Hall sharpens up - and kids can build their own organ
  Dame Gillian Weir's concert on the 5th of March at Reading Concert Hall with the New Queen's Hall Orchestra deserves particular note, as joint organ and orchestral concerts are usually impossible due to the 1864 Willis organ's sharp pitch. However, the NQHO will be raising the pitch of their carefully chosen period instruments to permit a performance of Rheinberger's Concerto in G minor for Organ and Orchestra (Op.177). Also on the programme are Widor's Allegro Vivace from Symphonie V (Op.42) in F and Brahms' Symphony No.2 in D major (Op.73). The concert starts at 7:30pm on Saturday March 5th, tickets can be bought from the Reading Arts website, and you can read more about the organ here. There is also a free pre-concert talk from 6:15pm to 7:00pm with Peter Avis in conversation with Dame Gillian Weir.

  On Sunday 6th March, 40 lucky kids will get to learn about the King of Instruments, building their own working organ by piecing together inflatable airbeds, tubing and pipes. They will then perform on their creations alongside the Father Willis in a true organ extravaganza. Parents can attend or escape to the nearby caf and museum. There are two sessions: 11:30am to 1:00pm and 1:30pm to 3:00pm, and due to limited numbers, advanced booking is essential on 0118 901 5132.
  
  

• More family pipe organ fun in Manchester
  At 11am on Saturday 19th March, musician and comedian Rainer will join keyboard maestro Daniel Moult in a fun-filled, interactive tour of The Bridgewater Hall's 1.2m recital organ. The press release offers the chance to "Find out how to be born, married and buried with an organ, and try to solve the mysterious case of the missing instruments. This hour-long show is perfect for children of all ages." To book tickets (from 7 to 14, with under 16s half price) phone The Bridgewater Hall Box Office on 0161 907 9000 or book online at www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.
  
  
• Sing Mozart in Birmingham
  The RCO has organised a "bring and sing" event on Saturday the 12th of February, when amateur singers are invited to sing Mozart's Requiem in St Philip's Cathedral. The performance will be conducted by Malcom Archer and accompanied by Colin Walsh playing the orchestral parts on the organ in a revival of 19th century tradition. It starts at from 1:30pm and costs from 4 to 12, with discounts available for RSCM affiliated choir members. Audience tickets are available in advance or on the door, priced 5 (4 concessions). For tickets, a booking form, or more information, call 0121 331 7222 or email admin@rco.org.uk.
  
  
• News from Magdeburg
  Work has begun on the new organ at Magdeburg Dom. You can read about the history behind this large new instrument (Alexander Schuke, 93 speaking stops over four manuals and pedals, due for completion 2008) at this website, including pictures of the proposed faade and casting of the first pipes.
  
  
• Felix Aprahamian, 1914 - 2005
  Felix Aprahamian, perhaps best known among organ circles for his reviews, programme notes and concert organisation, died in January. An obituary can be found online at The Times, and David Liddle has written a personal remembrance on his website.