<center>![IMG_0341.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/l483HMYi-IMG_0341.jpg)
*Zion Lutheran Church, Walla Walla, NSW*</center>

Earlier in April this year, Prof. Graham Lieschke, Organist and Music Director of St. Johns Southgate Lutheran Church, Melbourne, contacted me about a visiting organist that was coming to Australia to be part of their [Bach Cantata Program](http://www.stjohnssouthgate.com.au/index.php/music/bach-cantata/). The series was founded in 1997 and this year will be its 22nd year.

This year the visitor is **Daniel Beilschmidt**, the current Leipzig University organist (this means he is a successor to Max Reger and presides at the two new organs in the recently rebuilt Paulinerkirche in Leipzig). Graham hailed Daniel as a brilliant organist and he is also the former assistant at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig.

So what's this got to do with Walla Walla?  Graham grew up in Walla Walla, in the house next to the church, playing [Zion's organ](https://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/Walla.html) since just after its installation. This year is also Zion's 150th anniversary and the congregation bought the organ to celebrate their 100th anniversary—so it's quite a special occasion! Graham also said he wanted to give the congregation a *buzz* in this important anniversary year. The recital would send strong message to encourage their ongoing pride and care, for what is a pretty special instrument to be in the middle of countryside. The drive is about 25 minutes from my home.

The last time I played Zion's organ was back in early 2017. I was also invited that year to play at their Thanksgiving Service for the now late John Wenke, who was their organist for many years. Below is a picture of the organ. It's a very reasonable specification and more than adequate for hymns, let alone organ repertoire.

![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/MsKvH8Cb-image.png)

Now onto the recital programme! There was no doubt in my mind that the programme would be anything other than solid. Graham didn't advise me of the programme prior to the event, so it was a pleasant surprise when I picked up the flyer inside the church.

![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/LKooed2l-image.png)

As you can see below, the repertoire selections were well balanced. The *Berlinski* work was unfamiliar to me though (it's also the Walla Walla premiere!). As I now understand, Berlinski was also from Leipzig but ended up in America in 1941. This was due to the unfolding politics of the 20th century. It was in New York where he started composing for organ. "The Burning Bush" is a result of Jewish and Christian traditions and Berlinski's life experiences. It's quite a rhythmical and exciting piece to which the audience called out *Bravo!, bravo!* on its completion.

Beginning the recital with Bach is *de rigueur* amongst organists. The Fantasia and Fugue in G minor (Great) is one of my personal favourites—heck, all of the "Great" Bach works are my favourites and I can't pick just one as an absolute favourite. As you would expect, the Fantasia and Fugue was registered quite boldly and showed off the Reeds and full body of the Zion organ. Our ears got some reprieve in the delicate 'Dies sind dieheilgen zehn Gebot' which also showcased the 8' Cromorne on the Great. To me, it sounds more like a Clarinet and I think that having it engraved on this English-style console would have been more in style.

![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/EBCzdOic-image.png)

The Mendelssohn was spectacularly played. Daniel was swift, nimble and accurate across the fast passages. A difficult piece to keep tidy as it was originally scored for piano. Now onto the Franck. I must admit, I don't really play any of Franck's major works. I've tried to sit down and learn a few of them but I cannot really get into it (or perhaps understand it). I discussed Franck a few months ago with a friend about this and he answered me by comparing Bach to Franck—with Bach it's easy to see where he is going with the music. With Franck, you don't understand until you reach the end. You need to see and experience the whole "narrative" before understanding his pieces. Apart from my inexperience with Franck, the Prière was played sensitively on what is *not a French romantic* instrument. However, Daniel showed-off the 8' Foundations of the Zion organ.

Daniel ended the recital with an improvisation in the style of Franz Liszt. And oh boy, was it indeed! The full tonal scope of the organ was exploited and his virtuosity shimmered. A thrilling experience for me, that was for sure! I actually sat behind the console for the recital because I wanted to see, learn and experience an international concert organist at work. It wasn't the best position acoustically, but it was a small sacrifice for everything else that I saw today—playing that entire programme on an organ without any accessories! (Thanks to Graham for being such a reliable page-turner and registrant).

I do hope that Graham will bring the next visiting organist from his Bach Cantata Program back to Walla Walla for another recital—or perhaps an additional recital at St. Matthew's, Albury. Perhaps I myself, should approach Zion in the future and offer them an organ recital some day? :)

Yours truly,
@contrabourdon (all photos taken by me)

![IMG_0347.JPG](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/FdNGLChi-IMG_0347.JPG)

![IMG_0342.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/hIWba6Ds-IMG_0342.jpg)

![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/KxBeChif-image.png)

![IMG_0353.jpg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/a9cwmJjv-IMG_0353.jpg)

![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/wGbcMYEI-image.png)

<center>![IMG_2299.JPG](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/contrabourdon/FO0nztsk-IMG_2299.JPG)
*@contrabourdon with the late John Wenke
(Organist of Zion Lutheran Church, Walla Walla)*</center>

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