Stanford 100: The Organ Sonatas

2024 marks the centenary of the death of Dublin born composer, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. With a strong association with Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Stanford was one of the most significant composers of his day and left a large body of work in many genres, including orchestra music and opera. It is however, for his organ and choral music he is principally remembered today. This series presents concerts of Stanford’s organ music, each featuring one of his organ Sonatas and other works. The series is given by a five of Ireland’s leading organists.

SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER | 19.00 | Judit Máté (organ)

Te Deum Laudamus – Fantasia (Op. 116, 1909)

from 6 Short Preludes and Postludes (Op. 101, 1907)
Founded on an Old Irish Church Melody

from 6 Short Preludes and Postludes (Op. 105, 1908)
On a theme of Orlando Gibbons (Song 22)
On a theme of Orlando Gibbons (Song 34, The Angels Song)

Fantasia upon the Hymn Tune ‘Intercessor’ (Op.187, 1922)

from Occasional Preludes (Op 182, 1930)
At Eventide (no.6)
Requiem (no 4)

Organ Sonata No.4 “Celtica” (Op.153, 1918)
i. Allegro molto moderato
ii. Tema con Variazioni, Allegretto
iii. Allegro Maestoso (Saint Patrick’s Breastplate)

Judit Máté is a Hungarian-born organist, church musician and choral conductor living in Ireland since 2008. Judit grew up studying music through the Kodály method and started learning to play the organ at the age of fourteen from local organist and music teacher, Edit Sabján.

Judit gained her BA degree in Music Education and Church Music in 2006 in Hungary and she completed her Master’s Degree in Organ Performance in 2016 at TU Conservatoire, Dublin. Her organ tutors in Ireland have been Simon Harden, Siobhan Kilkelly, Colm Carey and Dr David Adams. Judit has participated in masterclasses with Douglas Hollick, Dame Gillian Wier, Pier Damiano Peretti, Malcolm Proud, Prof. Henry Fairs and Szilárd Kovács.

In 2011 Judit founded the St Jude’s Chamber Orchestra and Concert Choir. This project-based
amateur group has premiered in Ireland various works by Hungarian composers and has performed
works by Vivaldi, Pergolesi, Mozart and Rheinberger. Since 2022 Judit is the conductor of the Trim-based Credo Vocal Ensemble. Judit is the organist of St Michael’s Church, Dún Laoghaire since 2023 and Divine Word Church of Marley Grange since 2014. As a recital organist Judit has played in Hungary, Ireland and France.