Press Release
Knox United Church here will host the first Canadian organ recital for Leo Ravesnbergen on Monday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
This will be the start of a nine-recital tour that includes such churches as Westminister United (Winnipeg), St. Paul’s United (Thunder Bay), St. Peter’s Lutheran (Kitchener), and Jarvis Street Baptist and Metropolitan United (Toronto), where he’ll play the largest pipe organ in Canada.
Ravensbergen, the organist at the Reformed Church in Rinjsburg, Netherlands, gives recitals regularly throughout Holland and has been asked to play in churches in northern Germany.
Ravensbergen started playing the organ when he was eight years old, and eventually learned organ improvisation under John Propitius, a well-known retired Dutch organist.
Those who have seen Ravensbergen play say his playing is like that of Propitius, and many people feel he is taking over from several well-known Dutch organists, who either have retired or died.
Ravensbergen has many followers on YouTube.
A two-CD set of him playing the organ at the Great Church in Harlingen, entitled “Heer, Onze God, Hoe Heerlijk is Uw Naam” (“Lord, Our God, How Majestic is Your Name”), was produced in the spring and has been purchased by people in various countries.
Ravensbergen plays improvisations on various psalms, hymns, and worship music.
He does not play classical music, though, some people consider the Genevan Psalms he plays to be classical in nature.
Those attending the recital will hear pieces such as “Ik Bouw Op U” (“I Build On You”), which has the same tune as “Be Still My Soul,” “In Christ Alone,” and “God and God Alone,” along with other hymns and psalms.
People will be given the opportunity to sing.
It is a very rare occasion when a foreign organist gives a recital in a town the size of Fort Frances.
They generally play in larger communities such as Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.
There is no admission, however, a free-will offering will be collected.
