VATICAN CITY ORGANIST ARRIVES IN STRATFORD.

James Goettsche is the official organist of the Vatican Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. A native of Los Angeles, California, he is a descendent of a German family that emigrated to the United States from Schleswig Holstein. In 1961, while a student at San Francisco State College, he had made the acquaintance of Fernando Germani, organist of the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome during the reign of Pope Pius XII, who invited him to continue his musical education in his classes at the Conservatory of Rome. Mr. Goettsche graduated from that Conservatory in 1968 with a degree in Organ and Organ Composition and he remained in Rome to become organist of the Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana in the Roman Forum, where for decades he gave regular Sunday afternoon concerts which soon became a popular event in the Roman musical circle.

He is particularly celebrated for his interpretations of the complete works of J. S. Bach and Cesar Franck; his book on Bach’s organ works has been twice printed in Italy by the Assessorato alla Cultura in Padua and by the Amici dell’Organo in Como. In 1989 Mr. Goettsche was elected “Modulator Organorum” (Official Organist) of the Vatican Basilica of Saint Peter with the responsibility to accompany all principal liturgical celebrations in that Basilica, including those of the Holy Father and those of the Vatican Chapter. While he is also a full Professor at the State Conservatory of Music, Frosinone, he continues to concertize, to teach in master classes and to make recordings throughout the world. In Stratford, master classes run from July 27 to July 30, with five young students attending, including Stratford’s own Andrew Adair.

In reviewing a concert by James Goettsche, L’Osservatore Romano in Vatican City said; “Mr. Goettsche is more than an organist. He brings forth from the manuals and pedals of the organ a poetry that transcends the pipes themselves and mere virtuosity.

Each of the three concerts at Knox Church will be different. On Thursday, July 28; the program will consist of the TOCCATAS, FUGUES AND CHORALES of Johann Sebastian Bach: on Friday, July 29, ORGAN WORKS OF CÉSAR FRANCK and Saturday July 30; MUSIC FROM LITURGIES OF ST. PETER’S in ROME,. Each concert begins at 9:30am.

Tickets are available by calling 519 273 1600.

For further information, please contact Rachael Goddard, Marketing Manager, Stratford Summer Music, at 519 271 2101, or rgoddard@stratfordsummermusic.ca