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Last Tuesday (20 July) the final round of the International Organ Improvisation Competition was held at St Bavo's in Haarlem. The international jury awarded the prize to the French contestant Samuel Liégeon.
Samuel Liégeon
With his improvisation on themes by de Dutch composer Klaas de Vries he beat the other three finalists Martin Bacot (F), Sebastian Bartmann (D) and Stephan Kreutz (D). The audience prize was awarded to Sebastian Bartmann.
The prestigious improvisation competition attracted 17 candidates from 7 countries, of whom 8 were selected for the public rounds during the International Organ Festival Haarlem. The four candidates were given the themes one hour before their performance; manuscript paper and a pencil were their only aids. On the international jury, chaired by Stephen Taylor, were the organist Jan Raas (who won the competition three times in the 1970s), Jaroslav Tuma (professor of organ at the Prague Music Academy and winner in the 1980s), Zsigmond Szathmáry (leading exponent of contemporary music), the Dutch composer Peter-Jan Wagemans and the Haarlem municipal organist Jos van der Kooy, who replaced Lionel Rogg, who was forced to withdraw for reasons of ill-health.
The three finalists on 20 July: from left to right Stephan Kreutz (D), Samuel Liégeon (F), Martin Bacot (F), and Sebastian Bartmann (D). Photos: Cor van Gastel
The four finalists were required to improvise for a maximum of ten minutes on the three themes specially composed by Klaas de Vries: a short polyphonic model and two single-voice themes. According to the jury, the winner improvised a complete composition in a perfect form and consistent harmonic style. Closely-knit use of the themes was combined with a subtle touch and colourful use of the Müller organ.
Samuel Liégeon began his studies at the academy of Besançon, and is now a student at the Paris Conservatory where his teachers include Thierry Escaich, Phillippe Lefebvre, Jean François Zygel and Pierre Pincemaille. He won the first prize at the Boëllmann-Gigout improvisation competition in Strasbourg (2008) and was a prizewinner at the Leipzig improvisation competition. Samuel Liégeon is titulary organist of the church of Saint Pierre de Chaillot in Paris (F).
The Opening Concert of the Haarlem Organ Festival can be watched on internet. Click here to enjoy again the peformance of Mozart's Requiem by Studium Chorale, conducted by Hans Leenders and Leo van Doeselaar on the Müller organ!
Unfortunately, Lionel Rogg has had to withdraw from the jury due to illness. He will be replaced by the Haarlem municipal organist Jos van der Kooy, an internationally recognised improviser.
