Friends of the Christ Church Organ present a journey through Europe, courtesy of Whanganui organist Leonard Cave.
Mr Cave will perform at Christ Church on November 5. His programme, entitled A Journey Through Europe, includes music by Couperin, Vivaldi, JS Bach, Krebs, Beethoven, Franck and Messiaen.
Mr Cave was born in Whanganui and spent his childhood on the family farm up the Whanganui River. His early musical interests were stimulated by singing in the St George's School Chapel Choir, which led to his learning to play the organ and later graduating with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Auckland.
After winning a national organ competition, Mr Cave went to London for three years to study at the Guildhall under Nicholas Danby, where he also studied piano as second instrument under Terrance Beckles.
With various performing experiences in England and Germany under his belt, he returned to New Zealand and pursued a career in teaching, performing, conducting and adjudicating. He formed the Franklin Community Choir, which he conducted for 13 years and which is still singing today. He also conducted the Waikato University Chamber Choir for several years.
