The only international organ competition in the Americas in 2011, the Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC) ended on a high note Sunday night. At Notre-Dame Basilica there was a gala concert presented by founding partner Sun Life Financial, that paid tribute to the late Père Fernand Lindsay.
Like the finals last Friday night, some 1,500 people attended the gala concert. The audience was first greeted with Procession composed by Jean-François La Porte and performed on roman organ pipes by Quatuor Quasar. Christian Lane, winner of the First Prize, played Allegro from the Sixth Symphony by Charles-Marie Widor. In addition to recitals by the main prize-winners, Luc Beauséjour performed works by Purcell, Handel and Scarlatti on the positive organ, and Quatuor Quasar played an excerpt of Bach’s L’Art de la fugue by on their saxophones. “For me the Competition was a dream. The 2011 edition confirms that this dream has grown to become a reality and a wonderful celebration of organ music!” declared John Grew, Artistic Director of the CIOC.
During the finals, each of the five finalists played a 60-minute recital; repertoire was left to their discretion, with the exception of the compulsory piece by Franz Liszt, Variations on Weinen, Klagen Sorgen, Zagen.
The competitors vied for a total of $72,000 in prizes. First Prize of $30,000 was awarded by an international jury of nine organ experts to American Christian Lane, who also enjoys a three-year management contract with Karen McFarlane Artists, a CD recording with ATMA Classique, and career management and coaching from the CIOC.
The Second Prize of $15,000 went to German competitor Jens Korndörfer, who, in the Final Round, also won the $2,000 Liszt Prize. Third Prize ($10,000) was awarded to two finalists: Balthasar Baumgartner from Germany and Jean-Willy Kunz from France. The jury awarded the $2,000 Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) prize to American finalist Jared Ostermann for the best interpretation of a Canadian composition. The audience voted for Jean Willy-Kunz for the $4,000 Richard Bradshaw Audience Prize.
In addition to the official awards ceremony, the closing event featured recitals by the top four prizewinners.
Jens Korndörfer played Sicilienne from Suite, op. 5 by composer Maurice Duruflé and Finale from 12 Etudes for Small Organ By William Albright. Balthasar Baumgartner performed excerpts from Poèmes by Thierry Escaich and Jean-Willy Kunz an excerpt of Messe de la Pentecôte by Olivier Messiaen.
Finally Christian Lane returned for the last recital playing Free Fantasia on “O Zion Haste” and “How Firm a Foundation” by William Bolcom. All the performances were projected on a giant screen in High Definition thanks to Michel Renaud, CIOC 2011 video producer.
“The Canadian International Organ Competition has been quickly propelled into the top tier of music-making and artist support in our profession. I am humbled and delighted by the opportunity to represent this organisation in the coming years”, said Christian Lane.
Recital engagements featuring Christian Lane are already planned for 2012 and 2013, namely at the Bales Organ Recital Hall at the University of Kansas, at the Bach Festival in Montreal, at the Organix Festival, at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, and at Notre-Dame de Paris.
About the CIOC
The Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC) promotes organ music by increasing public awareness and interest in this music. In Montreal, every three years, the CIOC presents an international competition in which a prestigious jury representing various countries awards important prizes to a selection of the best young organists in the world. Seeking to actively participate in Canada’s cultural life, the CIOC annually develops a programme of activities in collaboration with organisations of the organ world. These musical and educational activities are designed to emphasize the cultural importance of pipe organs in Canada – treasures of our heritage – for a wide and diverse audience.
Information: www.ciocm.org.
