Philharmonia Northwest, Concert V April 18, 2010

Soloist: Les Martin, organ
G. Handel - Organ Concerto No. 13 in F
M. Bruch - Suite for Organ and Orchestra
C. Franck - Symphony in D minor

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Leslie Martin is organist and choirmaster at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Seattle, and teaches organ, harpsichord, and keyboard harmony at Seattle Pacific University.

Locally, he has appeared in a variety of musical roles - as guest conductor, organ soloist, and harpsichordist - with Philharmonia Northwest, Thalia Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He was for many years the principal harpsichordist with the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, and remains in demand as a continuo player throughout the Northwest, performing with ensembles such as Choral Arts, and Allegro Baroque (Spokane).

He has performed numerous organ recitals in the U. S. and in European cities including Geneva, Uppsala, and Rome, and has been featured at several prestigious European organ festivals, including the Stagione Concertistica Internazionale d'Organo (Associazione ARS ORGANI "Girolamo Frescobaldi") in Lecce (2001 and 2009); the Accademia Organistica Elpidiense in Sant' Elpidio a Mare, (1995), and the Festival International de l'Orgue Ancien, in Sion, Switzerland, (1995 and 2007), performing there on the world's oldest playable organ, dating from 1435.

He has been organist and choirmaster for Episcopal churches in Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Connecticut, and previously served on the keyboard faculty of the University of Washington.

He enjoys balancing his musical activities with fly-fishing, hiking, and canoeing with his wife.

Official Website: http://www.philharmonianw.org/