Mickey Mouse and Dinsey’s wonderful film Fantasia is probably what springs to many minds at the mentioning of Paul Dukas’ piece The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. However, Mickey will be nowhere near in Hallgrímskirkja the coming weekend – except maybe in the minds of the audience – as the superbly talented Dutch organist Leo van Doeselaar tells the story of the luckless apprentice with his nimble fingers and feet. This is the very first time this organ arrangement is performed in Iceland and the organ will be in the role of a whole orchestra, no less.

Van Doeselaar certainly will certainly need nimble hands and feet, as Swiss composer Lionel Roggs’ arrangement of the orchestral work is considered absolutely fiendish and only the most accomplished organists can play it. But van Doeselaar is among the best organists today and it will certainly be thrilling to experience his performance on Saturday June 2 at 12 noon and Sunday June 3 at 5 pm. Van Doeselaar holds the renowned position of organist at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and has performed all over the world and his recordings include the complete organ works of J.S. Bach.

Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D-minor

Actually Disney’s Fantasia is not too far away next Thursday June 30 at 12 noon either, when Hörður Áskelsson, organist of Hallgrímskirkja and artistic director of the International Organ Summer, gives a concert. On his programme is namely Bach’s D-minor Toccata and Fugue, which happens to be the opening work of Fantasia. At that concert we will hear another, totally different Toccata by Icelandic composer Jón Nordal, a grand piece from the 20th century. Áskelsson
contrasts this by also playing Albinoni and Giazotto’s beautiful Adagio.

The clear tones of Schola Cantorum

Hallgrímskirkja’s multi-prized chamber choir, Schola Cantorum, gives an a cappella concert on Wednesday June 29 at 12 noon. On the programme are alluring choral pieces from the 20th and 21st century, specially chosen for the church’s great acoustics, along with arrangements of Icelandic folk music for choir.

Tickets can be bought 1 hour before the concert at the entrance and for van Doeselaar’s concerts at www.midi.is

Ticket prices:

Wednesdays 2500 ISK

Thursdays 2000 ISK

Saturdays 2000 ISK

Sundays 2500 ISK