The Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ Welcome Ben Van Oosten April 19 for a French Romantic Concert

PORTLAND, Maine ’Ä́ The Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ (FOKO) welcome guest organist Ben van Oosten from the Netherlands on Tuesday, April 29^th for a French Romantic Concert in Portland's Merrill Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Van Oosten will join Portland Municipal Organist Ray Cornils for a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m.

The concert will feature works from the great French organ romantic literature, including Alexandre Guilmant's, Sonate nr. 1 in D minor, Op. 4, Charles-Marie Widor's, Trois Nouvelles Piˆ®ces, Op. 87, Cˆ©sar Franck's, Choral nr. 1 in E major, and Louis Vierne's, Symphony nr. 3 in f-sharp minor, Op. 28.

Van Oosten is one of the foremost international organists of today, best known for his highly-regarded recordings of French romantic organ literature for the MD&G label, including the eight sonatas of Alexandre Guilamnt and the complete organ works of Louis Vierne and Charles-Marie Widor. Van Oosten, born in The Hague in 1955, studied the organ and piano at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amersterdam and later studied in Paris. Aside from his concert career, van Oosten is an organ professor at the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he teaches students from all over the world. Today, van Oosten serves as organist at the Grote Kerk in The Hague and is artistic director of the annual International Organ Festival.

Suggested admission at the door is $15, attendees under 21 are free.

About the Kotzschmar Organ
The Kotzschmar Memorial Organ, built in 1912 by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford Connecticut, is this nation's oldest working municipal organ. With 5 manuals for the hands, a 32-note pedal board, 6857 pipes from ¬‡ inch to 32 feet in length, 87 stops, 101 ranks, it is truly one of this nation's musical treasures.

About Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ
Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ was founded in 1981 as a result of the city of Portland's need to withdraw funding for the organ due to financial limitations. Today, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Kotzschmar Organ, the Friend's responsibilities include raising funds, presenting concerts and educational programs and engaging the services of a Municipal Organist.

For more information on any of the concerts contact Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ Executive Director Kathleen Grammer, 207-883-4234 or visit www.foko.org.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ present:

Ray Cornils, Municipal Organist and

Ben van Oosten, Guest Organist

at Merrill Auditorium ’Ä́ Portland, Maine

Sonate nr. 1 in D minor, Op. 42 (1874) ’Ä́ Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)

Introduction et Allegro

Pastorale (Andante quasi Allegretto)

Final (Allegro assai)

From "Trois Nouvelles Piˆ®ces", Op. 87 (1934) ’Ä́ Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)

Mystique

Choral nr. 1 in E major (1890) -- Cˆ©sar Franck (1822-1890)

INTERMISSION

Symphony nr. 3 in f-sharp minor, Op.28 (1911) ’Ä́ Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

Allegro maˆ´stoso

Cantilˆ®ne

Intermezzo

Adagio

Final