Cameron Carpenter

Overview

If the word ‘organ’ makes you think of dreary church services and scary old-lady piano teachers, head to the Opera House on November 12. And let rockstar organist Cameron Carpenter help you rethink your thoughts.

He’s a 34-year-old from the good ol’ US of A, who’s travelling the world, singlehandedly changing the instrument’s musty, dusty image. Rather than sticking with traditional repertoire, he busts out into all kinds of grooves — from pop tunes to originals. He’s even learning Percy Grainger’s ‘Colonial Song’ specifically for his Aussie gig.

“I tend to change the program at the last minute… that’s part of the fun,” says Carpenter, describing Grainger as his “very favourite composer in the world”. Also on the program is the Australian premiere of Carpenter’s composition Music for an Imaginary Film.

Rather than playing the Opera House’s in-house organ, he’ll be bringing his unique ‘International Touring Organ’ along. Massachusetts-based makers Marshall and Ogletree built it with pipe samples from all kinds of instruments — from cathedral organs to Wurlitzers.

The concert is the last in the 2015 Utzon series.