A new Artist Series 599 for the stunning Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan!
A beautiful Artist Series 599 recently installed at the stunning Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan (Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan) near Guadalajara. The light oak organ blends beautifully with the color of the stone and the gold trim accents of the Basilica.
The dedication concert was played by Organist Felipe Adrian Rojero on Wednesday, June 12th, and on June 13th Bob Tall (US Rodgers Representative and Organist) gave a workshop on registering orchestral works on the Rodgers organ, which was attended by 35 local organists who were eager to discover more on the new organ. The Basilica has then invited Mr. Tall back to play a recital of his orchestral transcriptions later in the year.
Bob Tall himself added, “This week, for me, was a career highlight! Bob Knight (Knight Organ Co.) recently installed a 3-manual Rodgers Artist 599 in the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan (Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan) in Guadalajara, Mexico. Wednesday evening, local renown organist, Felipe Adrián Rojero performed an Inauguraciön del örgano de la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan. A performance by a charming Organist featuring works by Buxtehude, Mendelssohn, Langlais, Vierne, and an original composition. Excellent, the Rodgers did everything he wanted, great use of the organ, brilliant performance, wonderful sound.”
Bob continues, “The following afternoon, Thursday, Bob Knight and I presented a Masterclass. Bob began with a demonstration of the traditional organ sounds and how they are accessed through the features of this instrument. I was then invited to explain and perform on the more orchestral side of the MODERN ORGAN, playing music from the literature, Bach, Langlais, etc., then moving to transcriptions, mostly my own arrangements using instruments of the orchestra (Prague Symphony 2005) and voices from the London Master Chorale (1997). Over thirty young musicians attended and their response to our presentation was awesome!“
About the Basílica
A 17th-century Franciscan sanctuary, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan (Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan) was built in downtown Zapopan, in the state of Jalisco, México. It is one of the most visited sanctuaries in Western Mexico, and it preserves a wooden Virgin that is considered a valuable relic of medieval origin, which came from Spain to New Galicia in the 16th century. The Huichol Museum is located in the building. The abbey of Our Lady of Expectation of Zapopan is also present at this beautiful location.
The Rodgers Artist Series
Rodgers Artist Series organs are the culmination of decades of innovation. At the heart of the Artist Series’ realistic pipe organ sound lays Rodgers’ unique high-resolution sampling process. Up to 8 microphones are used to capture the most detailed and nuanced pipe sounds possible. Unmatched tonal flexibility is provided by Rodgers’ patented Voice PaletteTM system. Then Pipe Dimensional ImagingTM recreates tone placement from the height, width and depth of the pipe chest — masterfully completing the authentic pipe organ sound experience. For more information on the Artist Series 599, please click here.
