Elizabeth Birkshire Brothers Sherman, age 91, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died on July 21. She was a longtime active member of the Central Arkansas AGO chapter and served as Dean from 1970-72. She was organist at various churches in Little Rock, including Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Sherman is survived by two sons, a sister, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The Organ Historical Society held its forty-second annual convention in Portland, Oregon, from Sunday, July 13, through Saturday, July 19. Here are, first, a kind of organ travelogue and, secondly, some broader considerations evoked by the organs and the playing.
Examples of Enlivening a Figured Bass on the Harpsichord
Nothing is more dull in a performance of Baroque music than a
continuo harpsichordist who mechanically plays a chord for every bass note in
the score. Or who reverently plays a printed realization, which usually follows
the same practice. Only rarely one hears a realization exhibiting some element
of spark and imagination.
Advocate and proponent of new organ music as well as transcriptions of older works, Stephen Tharp is one of today's most active concert organists, having already made over twenty intercontinental tours since 1987. We recently spoke with Stephen as he was preparing for another trip abroad.
The ninth biennial seminar attracted 80 participants who assembled in Paris anticipating the first week of playing time on the great instruments,lessons and classes with master teachers, participants' recitals, and the hospitality of our gracious hosts. The seminar always includes discourses about the instruments, improvisations by resident organists, and playing time for
participants.
