Organ Recital by Martin J. Rein

Martin J. Rein began his career with extensive studies in choral conducting and sacred music at the Berlin School of Music with Professor Martin Behrmann, one of Germany's leading choral conductors. He completed his Bachelor of Music degree there in 1996. Between 1996 and 2001, he undertook further postgraduate studies at the Music Academy in Detmold/Germany from where he graduated in December 2000 with an Honours degree in Organ Performance and in June 2001 with a Master of Music, majoring in Choral and Orchestral Conducting.

In his graduation recital in December 2000, he performed amongst other works, the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue Op. 57 (Inferno) by Max Reger (1873-1916), one of the most challenging compositions within the organ repertoire. After moving to Australia, Rein completed a further degree in Education at the University of Western Australia.

In Europe, he studied organ performance with Professor Gerhard Weinberger (Munich-Wurzburg) and Dr Ewald Kooimann (Amsterdam) as well as organ improvisation with Professor Renate Zimmermann (Berlin-Frankfurt-Heidelberg). He undertook further master classes with Professor Heinz Wunderlich (Hamburg), Joerg-Andreas Boetticher (Basel) and also with the Director of Music at St. Thomas, Professor Georg-Christoph Biller in Leipzig. During 2006 he studied further with Dame Gillian Weir in England.

Rein was appointed Director of Music at the Stiftskirche St. John's in Berlin-Spandau/Germany in 1995 and continued 1998 in the same position at St. Mary's Monastery Berlin-Lehnin/Germany. Between 1999 and 2001 he has held the position of Director of Music at the Alte Kirche in Essen, Germany.

In Australia, Rein was appointed as conductor of the Australian Chamber Singers in Perth in 2003, an ensemble within the Australian Youth Choir with whom he has performed and recorded several times during 2004. Until 2010, he was Director of Music in London/United Kingdom at St. John-the-Evangelist, Notting Hill as well as Organist at Bearwood College, the Royal Merchant Navy School. After returning to Australia, he accepted the post of Director of Performing Arts and Choirmaster at Tudor House Moss Vale, The King’s School, Sydney.

As an organist, Rein has performed in Australia, many European countries and the U.S.A. in venues such as Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral in London, U.K., both Cathedrals of Berlin in Germany, the Great Hall at Sydney University and St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, King’s Chapel Boston, St. Mark’s Baltimore, Gloria Dei in Philadelphia and Carthage College in the U.S.A. and St. John’s Cathedral Hong Kong. Most recently, Rein played recitals at the Cathedrals of Holy Trinity Auckland and St. George’s in Cape Town as well as St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. In Australia, his recital at Sydney University has been broadcasted by 2MBS-FM Colours of the King in July 2005.

Programme

J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Prelude in C Major, BWV 547

J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
From the Orgelbüchlein (The Little Organ Book)
- Gelobet seist Du Jesu Christ, BWV 604
- In dulci jubilo, BWV 608
- Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 634

L. Vierne (1870-1937)
Naïades, Op. 55, No. 4

Robert Ampt (b. 1948)
Chopsticks for Organ

C. Franck (1822-1890)
Fantasie en la majeur

L. Vierne (1870-1937)
Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54, No. 6

Free tickets are available at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Enquiries Counter (9am-9pm daily) from 10 Nov onwards. Each patron may get a maximum of 4 tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. Audiences aged 6 and above are welcome. Programme lasts around 40 minutes without intermission.

The presenter reserves the right to substitute artists and change programme without prior notice should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.
The content of this programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Enquiries: 2734 2009 / 2734 2819