Harpsichordist

Organist

Bach: Toccata & Fugue in D minor BWV 565 | Benjamin Alard

On visiting Halle, the French star organist Benjamin Alard fell in love with the Reichel organ in the Marktkirche on which the young Handel played. Especially for this instrument he has compiled a programme of Baroque devotion and contemplation for which the chorale Jesus meine Freude sets the tone, but which also leaves scope for virtuosity – as with Handel’s organ concerto Op. 6, No. 4, and sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti.

EPSG:4326

Organ recital "Jesu meine Freude"

The Market Church

When, in 1741, Handel was forced to admit that the London audiences were sick of hearing Italian opera, he thought back to what he had learned from his teacher Zachow in Halle. At this difficult time, an invitation to Dublin gave him the opportunity to create something completely novel: a sacred oratorio without action, an intimate confession of faith instead of superficial pomp. What is often lost in mass performances, the choir and orchestra of Liberati rekindle with their very special positioning. The choir stands in front of the orchestra and the organist right at the back: they cannot see one another, so they must listen all the more, and the tension thus created takes us to the very core of Messiah.

Messiah Oratorio HWV 56

The George Frederic Handel Hall

Award-winning French keyboard virtuoso Benjamin Alard returns to San Diego for a set of two all-Bach performances: one on the harpsichord and the other on the organ. Alard is in the midst of recording the complete J. S. Bach keyboard works, projected to run to seventeen volumes.

Benjamin Alard, organ

St Brigid Parish

Award-winning French keyboard virtuoso Benjamin Alard returns to San Diego for a set of two all-Bach recitals: one on the harpsichord and the other on the organ. Alard is in the midst of recording the complete J. S. Bach keyboard works, projected to run to seventeen volumes.

Harpsichordist, Organist

Benjamin Alard

Events

Past events

Jun 13, 2025

Organ recital "Jesu meine Freude" · Händel-Festspiele Halle

Jun 12, 2025

Messiah Oratorio HWV 56 · Händel-Festspiele Halle

About

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