Spreckels Organ Society Presents Finnish Organist Kalevi Kiviniemi in a Free Concert

The Spreckels Organ Society is honored to present organist Kalevi Kiviniemi from Finland in a free concert on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.

A prolific recording artist, Kalevi Kiviniemi has over 100 CD’s to his credit, the most of any musical artist in Finland.  He has toured worldwide and played many important historic instruments in the USA, Europe, Japan and the Philippines.  From 1991 to 2001 he was the artistic director at the Lahti Organ Festival in Finland and through his career has received numerous awards for his concert performances as well as his work promoting Finnish organ art.  

Mr. Kiviniemi’s program will include Improvisation “Stardust” – Kalevi Kiviniemi (b. 1958); Adagio – Franz Liszt  (1811–1886); Concert Etude No. 3 in D flat transcribed for organ by Kalevi Kiviniemi; Tambourin -Michel Corrette (1707–1795); The Prince of Denmark’s March – Jeremiah Clarke (1673–1707); Improvisation “Thunder” – Kalevi Kiviniemi; Introduction and Fire Dance – Manuel de Falla (1876–1946); Scherzo symphonique (1974) – Pierre Cochereau (1924–1984); Toccata, Suite Gothique – Léon Boëllmann (1862–1897); The Bird Fancyer’s Delight – Anon. (1717) Nightingale – Bullfinch – Parrot; Etude with Pedals “Noah” – Kalevi Kiviniemi; Three pieces – Aram Khachaturian 1903–1978 transcribed for organ by Kalevi Kiviniemi: A Tale of Strange Lands, Adagio (from Spartacus), Sabre Dance (from Gayaneh) and Finlandia, Op. 26 – Jean Sibelius 1865–1957

Kalevi Kiviniemi will perform Monday, July 26, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. All 2010 Spreckels Organ Society Summer International Organ Festival concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free, music-loving children and pets are welcome and many concertgoers enjoy picnics in Balboa Park before the concerts.  Light snack, beverages and gifts are available at the pavilion grounds with proceeds benefiting the non-profit Spreckels Organ Society.

Still to appear this summer at the 2010 Summer International Organ Festival are Organist of the Year R. Jelani Eddington on August 2, James David Christie of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on August 9, rising stars Keenan Boswell and Nicole Cochran on August 16, Dennis James and his popular Silent Movie Night on August 23, and Jazz Night with San Diego Civic Organist Carol Williams and special guests Dave Scott and friends on August 30.

In addition to the Summer Festival evening concerts, every Sunday at 2 p.m., Dr. Carol Williams, San Diego Civic Organist, gives a concert on the Spreckels Organ.   For a list of these concerts visit the Spreckels Organ Society website or join the Spreckels Organ Society Facebook fan page.

The Spreckels Organ and Pavilion were a gift from John D. and Adolf Spreckels, of the Spreckels sugar family, and were dedicated and first played on New Year’s Eve, 1914.  The Spreckels Organ is America’s largest outdoor organ and is sponsored by the City of San Diego, The Department of Parks and Recreation and the non-profit Spreckels Organ Society.

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