Baroque Organ Timaru

Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust of New Zealand presents: Travel through Time: Chamber Music Series 2026 Back to Baroque - Baroque Organ Experience the power and drama of Baroque music brought vividly to life on period instruments, performed in beautiful, acoustically rich venues across Christchurch, Oamaru, and Timaru. This unique concert offers an authentic journey into the sound world of the 17th and 18th centuries, where every detail—including historical technique—creates a warm, resonant, and deeply expressive experience. At the heart of the programme is Bach’s iconic Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, a work that has become synonymous with the drama and grandeur of the organ repertoire. Opening with its instantly recognisable, rhapsodic flourishes, the Toccata unfolds in a highly improvisatory style, full of bold gestures, rapid passagework, and striking contrasts that showcase both the virtuosity of the performer and the full sonic power of the instrument. This leads into the Fugue, where a single, driving theme is introduced and developed through intricate counterpoint, gradually building in intensity and complexity.

The work as a whole moves from freedom to structure, from theatrical brilliance to intellectual depth, capturing the expressive range of Baroque music at its finest. Performed on the organ by Jeremy Woodside, this centrepiece is complemented by a selection of lesser-known Baroque gems, with cellist Tomas Hurnik joining to explore the rich dialogue between organ and cello—bringing moments of both grandeur and intimate musical conversation. Whether you are a long-time lover of classical music or simply curious to experience something truly special, this concert promises to inspire, captivate, and transport you.

Artists: Jeremy Woodside was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and began his musical journey as a chorister at ChristChurch Cathedral, later serving as Assistant Organist. He has held prestigious organ scholarships at Wells Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, and has directed and accompanied numerous choirs and choral societies. In 2011, he directed the Cathedral Choir at the National Memorial Service in Hagley Park following the February earthquakes, attended by HRH Prince William, and subsequently performed recitals across Europe to support the cathedral’s rebuild. Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from the University of Canterbury and a Master’s in Organ Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium. A Fellow of Trinity College London and Associate of the Royal College of Organists, he has performed widely in major venues including Notre-Dame in Paris, the Musikverein in Vienna, and cathedrals throughout the UK and Australasia. He regularly performs with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and is an active composer, with works published internationally. Jeremy is currently Director of Music at Knox Church in Christchurch, Head of Music and Principal Repetiteur for Toi Toi Opera, and rehearsal pianist for Showbiz Christchurch.

Tomas Hurnik has a rich musical career performing with Czech symphonies, recording for radio and television, winning various chamber music competitions and taking part in prestigious chamber groups such as Talich Chamber Orchestra. He has played with various period instrument groups such as Musica Florea, Capella Regia Prague and Solamente Naturali with which he performed and toured around Europe. He continues to be passionate about period instrument playing and organizes and performs in concerts, workshops and master classes of Baroque music in New Zealand.