Organ Splendour

The organ of St Joseph's in Kommetjie was built by local craftsman organ builder, Bill Selway Robson, a true master of his craft. The concert presented by Stefan Steyn was inspired by Bill's story - that of his journey from engineer to organ builder, a man with a sensitivity for the ways of the old craftsmen - creating instruments from an era gone by. Robson's instrument was built in the style of a 17th century baroque organ, that would be at home in any of the old churches in Germany or the Netherlands, where organs were perfected thanks to the so called 'werkprinzip' that gave rise to the most beautiful instruments, still revered by organists across the globe today.

Steyn has curated a program of music from the 1500s through to the baroque period with Buxtehude, and Bach. The music contained in this program was chosen with this organ in mind - having the ability to recreate the sounds from the organs of the old world, right here in Kommetjie, the music in this program showcases the remarkable sonority of sound contained within this organ built by Robson. The various colors (or stops) each speak with individual character, and blends just as well when used in their respective ensembles or consort registration, all thanks to the modified mean-tone temperament along with masterful voicing done by Bill himself.

The organ of St Joseph's in Kommetjie is unique, and the only one of it's kind in the vastness of the South African organ landscape.

Sit back and be transported to a time when the master composers and master craftsmen from the baroque period converged in Europe.