Come listen to the only Baroque Organ in SA this Sunday

It takes a lot to maintain such an instrument. Holes need to be cut and burned to support the "resonatirs".

Did you know that the organ at the Catholic Church in Rubbi Road is the only pure baroque organ in South Africa, and that the man who built it (by hand, on his own) is a legendary organ and harpsichord builder who lives in the deep south? Join us for an incredible recital this Sunday by renowned organist Stefan Steyn, who will play music the way it sounded 300 years ago.

⛪ The organ at St Norbert’s Priory (Catholic Church in Rubbi Road) in Kommetjie is built in the style of 17th and 18th century German organs. It is the Magnum Opus of the only living master harpsichord and baroque-organ maker in South Africa, William Robson, who lives in Noordhoek.

🎶 He built this instrument on his own, by hand, at the request of then prior of the Kommetjie Norbertine. The organ, completed in 1997, faithfully recreates the sound world of early composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Dieterich Buxtehude, allowing their music to be heard as it was in their time.

🌞 The brilliance of the old masters’ compositions radiates from this organ.

🎼 Bach, a deeply religious composer, wrote chorale preludes, cantatas, and grand preludes and fugues, often used in church services.

🔔 Dieterich Buxtehude, who preceded Bach, primarily composed for liturgical use, focusing on settings of church chorales and preludes intended for worship.

🚨 In South Africa, no other instrument brings this sacred music to life as authentically as this organ. It stands as a unique musical treasure, a huge privilege for Kom residents.

👷🏼 Stefan Steyn, organist at the Dutch Reformed Church in Rondebosch, has a particular interest in this instrument. He completed his master’s degree in organ performance in 2021, and is an amateur organ-building enthusiast. He has attended masterclasses internationally, including the Haarlem International Organ Festival (Netherlands, 2018) and sessions in France (2016) with renowned musicians such as Liesbeth Schlumberger, Jeremy Joseph, Reitze Smits, Mario Nell, and Olivier Latry.

🛠️ Stefan is offering his services free of charge to help raise funds for the maintenance and repair of the organ, and to help aspirant organists.

🎫 Tickets are R150 -- get yours here