JS Bach’s monumental Fantasia and Fugue in C minor frames a contemplative landscape that includes Parry’s deeply moving Chorale Fantasia, Bach’s timeless O Mensch, the narrative reflections of Judith Bingham’s Emmaus-inspired pieces, and Tournemire’s soaring improvisation on Victimae Paschali laudes.



Maundy Thursday Organ Recital

Smith Square Hall

This will be a dazzling performance on our very own queen of instruments! Our guest is the Spaniard Juan de la Rubia, organist at the famous Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona. He begins his multifaceted program with the magnificent overture to Handel's 1743 psychological drama "Samson." A superb example of French Renaissance music is Eustache du Caurroy's 1610 Fantasia on the then-popular and enchanting song "Une jeune fillette." Profound emotion stands alongside explosive outbursts in Bach's legendary Chaconne in D minor. Charles Tournemire never wrote down his choral improvisations, such as the one on the Easter sequence "Victimae Paschali Laudes"—they survive only because he recorded them as early as 1930. Jehan Alain, who died young in World War II, wrote impressive variations on a folk song by the 16th-century master Clément Janequin.

Organ concert: Juan de la Rubia

Bamberger Symphoniker

A concert of reflection: The titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris, Olivier Latry, dedicates his organ recital to the memory of parish priest Christian Öhler – a long-time companion of the festival, whose commitment extended far beyond Bad Ischl.

Charles Tournemire

Events

Past events

Apr 2, 2026

Maundy Thursday Organ Recital · Sinfonia Smith Square

Mar 8, 2026

Organ concert: Juan de la Rubia · Bamberger Symphoniker

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