Spire

Embracing landmark classical pieces and pioneering contemporary compositions, Spire is an evening of bold exploration into the sonic possibilities of the organ by world-class musicians and composers.

In Spire, organist Charles Matthews, composer Marcus Davidson and operatic tenor Robert Millner play J S Bach, Henryk Gorécki, Arvo Pärt and others. BJ Nilsen combines real and sampled organ to create a sprawling sea of thunderous sound. Christian Fennesz fuses organ tones and electronics into an ethereal chorus.

For the performance in Newcastle, experimental musician Philip Jeck created virtuoso turntable collages with organ sources from liturgy to rock and beyond. And for the performance in Leeds, conceptual artist Leif Inge’s expanded version of Bach’s organ composition created a beautiful yet thrilling soundscape. Spire embraces the past, present and future of the organ, pushing the instrument to its limits.