The Chelyabinsk organ, of the German-based Hermann Eule Co., is one of Russia's best. Playing it were seven performers from Russia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Italy. Each offered a concept of organ jazz entirely his own. Thus, Bernd Koppen of Wuppertal, Germany, excels in musical landscapes. He played his composition, A Dedication to Chelyabinsk, in the finals.
Organ-piano duos offered two original programmes. Global celebrity Daniil Kramer was playing with Vladimir Khomyakov, and Vyacheslav Gorsky with Anastasia Sidelnikova, Moscow Philharmonic Society solo performer. Gorsky composed a "Chaconne in Jazz Tones" for the festival-a daring and exquisite endeavour, which merged the Baroque and jazz styles in perfect harmony for a unity of the organ and the piano.
Italy's Marco Lo Muscio came up with his own organ arrangements of rock and punk rock instrumental compositions.
The festival reached its peak with the appearance of David Timm, young German organist, who was improvising on the famous themes of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in C Minor. Known to everyone since childhood, the old masterpiece acquired an overwhelming novelty and power. The audience thanked the performer in standing applause.
The organ jazz is among the latest trends in music, and its entire opportunities are yet to grope for.
The Chelyabinsk event came as a global premiere. The world can offer no analogues, Hanover's Jazz and the Church Organ being the only exception.
The Chelyabinsk Government Concert Amalgamation determined to make the festival an annual arrangement. The South Urals' principal city will thus be central seat of organ jazz.
