"esteemed wizard of the organ"
Jennifer Bate is in the top rank of international organists and has long been a favourite at all the world's great festivals. Many composers have written for her, inspired by her phenomenal technique and ability to bring out the colours of the organ. Jennifer gives master-classes worldwide and lectures on a wide range of musical subjects.
In 1990, Jennifer's artistry and outstanding contribution to music received international recognition with the Personnalité de l'Année award by the French-based jury. She was only the third British artist to achieve this distinction, after Sir Georg Solti and Sir (later Lord) Yehudi Menuhin. In 1996, Jennifer was granted Honorary Citizenship of the Italian province of Alessandria for her services to music in Northern Italy over 20 years. In 2002, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music by Bristol University in July 2007.
Jennifer is recognised as the world authority on the organ works of Olivier Messiaen, with whom she worked extensively and became his organist of choice. Her world première recording of his last masterpiece for organ, Livre du Saint Sacrement, had exceptional international success, winning a Grand Prix du Disque. In 1995, Jennifer opened the Messiaen Festival at l'Eglise de la Sainte Trinité, Paris, where his complete organ works were performed and recorded. Among numerous awards for her CD, were the Diapason d'Or (France) and Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik(Germany).
Engagements during 2008/9, celebrating the centenary of the birth of Olivier Messiaen, include:
4 April - King's College, Cambridge
5 April - Messiaen lecture, Cambridge University
24 April - Konzerthaus, Vienna
10 May, 7.45pm - Hampstead and Highgate Festival 10th Anniversary Organ Spectacular (Bach, Messiaen and Liszt)
21 May, 7.30pm - Westminster Cathedral Grand Organ Festival, in association with the South Bank Centre Messiaen Festival (Livre du Saint Sacrement)
7 June - Avignon Messiaen Festival (Les Corps Glorieux)
4 July - Lockenhaus Festival (directed by Gidon Kraemer)
3 August - Monaco Organ Festival
17 August, 4.00pm - BBC Promenade Concert, Royal Albert Hall (Apparition de l’Église éternelle and La Nativité du Seigneur)
28 September - Leon International Festival
5 October - Las Palmas (Auditorio Alfredo Kraus)
15 November - Piacenza Festival
1 December de Doelen Hall, Rotterdam
12 December - Dortmund Messiaen Festival
24 January - Berlin Konzerthaus
Jennifer Bate has recorded for the SOMM label the complete organ works of Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). The five CDs comprise an incredible number of 68 pieces, from his first composition (aged 11) to his last thoughts. Among these are four fragments, which Jennifer completed in the composer's style. Many pieces are now recorded, published and performed for the first time, thanks to the research of Professor Christian Martin Schmidt, the acknowledged leading authority on Mendelssohn. The CDs are being released 2005/6 on SOMM 050-054 (mid price).
Jennifer Bate recorded on six important romantic organs: the early works on the classically-voiced (Walker) organ at Wimborne Minster and the remainder, which progress to more romantic voicing on the organs of The Temple Church (Harrison & Harrison), St Matthew's Bayswater (Walker) All Saints Margaret Street (Harrison & Harrison), St Stephen's Bournemouth (Hill) and St John's Upper Norwood (Lewis).
Jennifer's extensive research into the life and works of Mendelssohn was recently greatly assisted by Professor Schmidt, whose comprehensive study revealed many textural errors in previously-published scores. His new edition of Mendelssohn's organ works form three volumes of the nine new Breitkopf and Härtel Complete Mendelssohn edition.
Jennifer said about this colossal project "It was a life's ambition to record Mendelssohn's organ works and so exciting that the project coincided with new research and the discoveries now published in the new edition".
"...Bate's scholarly approach and fastidious playing are reason enough ... to collect the complete set."
"It goes without saying that her playing is hugely impressive and impeccably stylish ... "
"Jennifer Bate has gained a justified reputation as one of the most important organists of our time ... consummate artistry ... sensitively played."
"As always, Bate's restrained playing offers impeccable clarity, much enlivened when the explosive Allegro of Sonata 6's Variation 4 allows her to click into virtuoso mode."
"She takes a firm hand with the music but does not miss the poetry in it - especially with regard to phrasing - and the clarity of Mendelssohn's part-writing (especially in the contrapuntal pieces) benefits greatly therefrom. Her registration in the shorter pieces never interferes with the inherent flow of the music ..."
(Sonata No 6) "Jennifer Bate sensitively brings its myriad possibilities to the listener's attention, with beautifully articulated phrasing and crystal clear control of textures."
(Sonata No 2) "...abundant vitality, in which Jennifer Bate clearly revels."
Editor’s Choice, The Gramophone (Headline):
“Fluent and articulate, Jennifer Bate continues to do Mendelssohn proud.”
“In this remarkable and comprehensive project ….. [she] delivers performances which are fully in command of the material.”
"As this project continues, its significance assumes greater importance... all will have to hear these records... admirers of this artist's playing will need no second bidding to aquire this disc. They will not be diappointed."
"Jennifer Bate is a most compelling and persuasive advocate of Mendelssohn’s organ music in whatever shape or form it comes."
“… Jennifer Bate’s five-CD traversal of Mendelssohn’s complete organ music, the most noteworthy contribution to the composer’s discography to appear for years … remarkable and comprehensive project … very finely registered and performed.”
(mid price)
SOMMCD 039
"The poise and elegance of the playing will delight listeners if cause little surprise to collectors of Jennifer Bate's many recordings where such qualities may be found in abundance"
(mid price)
SOMMCD 036
Contents include:
Eight Variations in B Flat on God Save the King
Preludium, Arietta & Fuga in C minor ( dedicated to Adams )
Voluntary in D ( dedicated to Drummer )
Arrangement with Variation, of Rule Britannia
Three Variations in D on God Save the King
"A truly uplifting recording... beautifully mellow diapason tones, seductive flutes, mutations to die for and some striking reeds that blend deliciously. Jennifer Bate plays this charming music with wonderful playfulness and a superb clarity"
"This is first-rate. A real and rare delight. Adjectives jostle for pride of place, your reviewer quite dumbstruck. Such a happy conjecture of repertoire, instrument and performer .... the virtuosity required never obtrudes; art beautifully conceals art throughout. And there's so much more:- suductively cantabile melodies, contrapuntal wizardry, 'galant' cheerfulness, even tongue-in-cheek humour.
Such a highly focussed CD has an important role to play in documentation of historic instruments and the musical literature written for them; if, as here, the mixture is also downright entertaining, we must rejoice alway."
Regis RRC 5002 (5 CD)
(budget price)
"...As a glorious celebration of the heritage of English Organ and Organ Music... This sumptuous collection cannot be bettered. Snap it up now if you missed it the first time"
(budget price)
RRC 6001 (6 CD, also available separately)
"What a sound! ...A quite spectacular recording ( which ) carries the composer's imprimatur"
"Deeply committed performances…colourful playing makes first impressions that will turn listeners into pilgrims…Wonderfully majestic"
(full price)
Jade 74321 29890-2
Le Banquet Céleste and La Nativité du Seigneur
(budget price)
Regis RRC 2054 DDD Reissue
2 Discs £9.99
"This is surely how Franck should sound…"
PERFORMANCE *****
SOUND *****
(budget price)
Regis RRC 1147
Regis Records issued, at the end of July, Jennifer's spectacular recording made at Beauvais Cathedral, with extra material by Vierne and Langlais.
Their 2002 releases of her complete Messiaen and Franck recordings have received rave reviews. Similarly, her famous period instrument recordings "From Stanley to Wesley" are now again available to enormous acclaim.
(mid price)
Guild GMCD 7209
Organ Music by Jennifer Bate played by the composer on the organ of the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.
Despite her busy schedule, Jennifer has always been interested in composing, and frequently has been commissioned to write for special instruments or particular occasions. Recorded on one of the finest British concert hall organs, this collection ranges from the spectacular full organ to the most delicate romantic pieces.
Albany records TROY 360
Organ Concerto with BBC Symphony Orchestra, conductor David Atherton.
Sanctuary Records CD RSN 3077
(budget price)
Jennifer Bate - Organ of the Royal Albert Hall
Jennifer Bate: incredible playing at the Albert Hall... ( Liszt's 3 masterly works ) "the range is wide and does justice to Jennifer Bate's incredible playing. She shows intimate knowledge of the Albert Hall organ's resources, finding delicate effects to counterbalance the blazing furnace of sound that closes the Fantasia and Fugue"
Jennifer Bate - Organ.
"Jennifer Bate's lyrical approach and sensitive registration is a constant delight, and it is a pleasure to hear the right music on the right instrument in the right hands."
Plymouth Suite (1937) played on the organ of St Andrew's Parish Church, Plymouth.
Five Short Pieces (1929), Four Extemporisations (1933) and Seven Sketches on Verses of the Psalms (1934) played on the organ of The Bragwyn Hall, Swansea.
ASV Quicksilva CD QS 6233. Music published by OUP.
Click on the CD cover to hear a sample of "Folk Tune" from "Five Short Pieces" (1929).
(Presented as a RealAudio format clip.)
Available at £4.99 (+ p&p)
Jennifer Bate - Organ
Including works by Walford Davies, Vaughan Williams and Elgar
Available at £4.99 (+ p&p)
Jennifer Bate (organ). Including works by Parry, Whitlock, Gordon Jacob and C.V. Stanford.
"Taut control...but there is plenty of fire and heart."
Budget CD Choice -
March's Choice -
"...towering performances..."
All Jennifer Bate's royalties from this recording (and Vol.1: Elgar and his Contemporaries - ASV QS 6160) will be donated to the St. James's Church Organ Appeal, which was launched Spring 1999.
Click on the CD cover to hear the opening of the Toccata from Stanford's Fantasia and Toccata Op. 57
(Presented as a RealAudio format clip.)
Available at £4.99 (+ p&p)
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Vivaldi Double and Triple Concertos Jennifer Bate (organ), Sarah Francis (oboe), Richard Studt (violin/director), Paul Nicholson (continuo) and the Tate Music Group. Available in signed copies at £8.95 (+ p&p). Click on the CD cover to hear part of the Concerto in C minor (RV 766) - track 15 from the CD. |
You can order by post, phone or fax from Les Aldrich. Most major credit cards accepted. P&P is £1 UK, £2 overseas.
Make out your cheque to Les Aldrich (with your address on the back please), or give your full credit card details including expiry date. Please allow 28 days for delivery.
"Jennifer Bate may claim honours as THE Messiaen player of this generation" (Fanfare, USA). Their special rapport was established at the first meeting in 1975, when he wrote:
"Jennifer Bate is an excellent organist, not only for her virtuosity, but for her musicianship and sensitivity in choosing her timbres. She is a really accomplished musician who loves what she plays and knows how to make others love it too."
As part of the "VISIONS - The Music of OLIVIER MESSIAEN" weekend, 15-17 January 1999, there were 3 screenings of the LWT South Bank Show (1985) where Jennifer was performer and artistic advisor.
Jennifer is much in demand for masterclasses and lectures on the organ works of Messiaen. Her extensive experience of working closely with the composer gives her unique authority as an exponent of his music. During her recent study day at Cambridge University, she gave an illustrated lecture on the Livre du St Sacrement and a public masterclass for advanced students of the university. She also gave a full day of masterclasses at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, for the Music Faculty.
Many composers have written for her. Recent commissions include Peter Dickinson's "Blue Rose Variations", demonstrating her phenomenal manual and pedal technique. It was premièred in New York and later filmed in live concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
William Mathias composed "Fenestra", inspired by her use of colour, and Naji Hakim wrote his "Sinfonia" with her virtuosity in mind.
Jennifer Bate has given many lecture/recitals, tracing the history of music. Where no appropriate instrument is available, lectures are given with taped musical examples.
Jennifer Bate's lectures on the 18th and 19th centuries are frequently illuminated by the writings of Dr. Charles Burney, whose opinion is admired to this day. During his tours of Europe, he made a fascinating account of instruments, music and musicians. The lecture is illustrated with copious musical examples, many on period instruments.
"Anecdotal episodes were varied and often comical. These were delivered with perfect enunciation, tone colour and great charm ... full of interest. It was artistically enlightening and greatly appreciated"
This lecture is illustrated with sound and overhead projection
Jennifer Bate enjoys a unique reputation as the world authority and his organist of choice. She has a series of lectures on Messiaen's Organ Works. With over 17 years of close artistic association with him, her scores contain the composer's personal nuances of interpretation.
Her lecture on "Livre du Saint Sacrement" was prepared with Messiaen's advice and was approved by him. This gives a profound and exclusive insight into his most complex work for the organ.
A selection of hillarious episodes in and out of the organ loft.
Dr Bate enjoys working with young people and has pioneered new ways of introducing the organ and its repertoire to children. She is in great demand from all age groups for her "Young Person's Guide to the King of Instruments" - in a virtuoso demonstration of the organ revealing its awesome and enthralling power.
Jennifer offers a varied series of projects for all ages, an example of which was the Millennium Organ Project, based in the North-West. This involved concertos with the Lancashire Youth Orchestras, competitions for schools, masterclasses and demonstration recitals. These events involved between 3,000-4,000 people. More recently, she has been heavily involved in a project for schools in Shropshire and the work of the recently-established Jennifer Bate Organ Academy.
Jennifer Bate is frequently an organ consultant on new instruments and organs being rebuilt. She is currently consultant to the restoration of the famous Harrison & Harrison organ at St. James' Church, Muswell Hill, London.
The Friends of St. James's Church, Registered Charity No. 1075986 are seeking £220,000. Over half the funds have been raised and the contract has been signed.
In her capacity as a world authority on Messiaen, she was both consultant and performer on the South Bank Show about him. Channel Four televised her magnificent performance of "Livre du Saint Sacrement" from Westminster Cathedral and "La Nativité" from Norwich Cathedral.
More recently, Italian TV made a profile programme and televised her recital at Pisa Cathedral, and her programme in St. Michael's Cathedral Barbados was networked throughout the Caribbean.
Jennifer is represented by Künstleragentur Dr. Raab & Dr Böhm.
Plankengasse 7, A1010 Wien, Austria.
Tel: +43-1-512 05 01. Fax: +43-1-512 77 43.
E-mail: office@rbartists.at
Website: www.rbartists.at
and Mark Stephan Buhl Artists Management
Geylinggasse 1
1130 Wien. Austria
Tel: +43 1 524 7675. Fax: +43 1 526 3095
Skype: markmsbuhl. E-mail: mark@msbuhl.com
Website: www.msbuhl.com
in association with Künstleragentur Dr. Raab & Dr Böhm.
Further Information: Andrew Roberts,
35 Collingwood Avenue, Muswell Hill, London N10-3EH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 8883 3811 Fax: +44 (0)20 8444 3695
E-mail: jbate@classical-artists.com
E-mail: andrew.roberts15@virgin.net
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