Gerdi Troskie is one of the RCO’s tutors, and the person most responsible for the improvements in my organ technique over the past two years. She studied post-graduate with the early music specialist Jacques van Oortmerssen at the Amsterdam Conservatorium, and taught at the Royal College of Music Junior Department – now she’s a popular teacher on many organ courses, including the annual RCO St Giles Summer Course for Organists and Oundle for Organists, as well as giving recitals around Europe. Here are Gerdi’s answers to my five questions:
Which piece of music are you studying at the moment and why?
The Elgar Sonata in G major. I focused on older repertoire as a post-graduate student and never got round to learning this monumental work. Now that I’m a resident of Worcester (Elgar’s birthplace) it seems totally appropriate to engage with it!
What has been your best experience as an organist?
I had regular access to fantastic historical organs in The Netherlands during the three years I lived and studied at the Amsterdam Conservatoire and got to know some magnificent instruments in Haarlem, Alkmaar, Leiden, Delft and Amersfoort to mention a few.
What has been your worst experience as an organist?
The long and frightening walk to reach the swallow nest organ in Strasbourg Cathedral during an organ visit with the RCO roughly 15 years ago. This involved climbing a spiral staircase on the outside of the building, a walking across a narrow platform alongside the roof tiles (don’t look down!) and squeezing through a small door into the roofspace to get down to the organ console. Not for the faint-hearted.
What’s the best piece of advice you were given by an organ teacher?
I was fortunate to study with the old music specialist, Jacques van Oortmerssen in Amsterdam. He taught me so much about performance practice and organ technique. Meticulous preparation of scores and careful calculations about tempo in relation to the building(s) are also high on the list.
What would be your own best piece of advice for student organists?
Set yourself realistic goals. Practise in a methodical way and do so preferably on a mechanical action instrument. Attend classes, courses and concerts. Never stop practising!
Gerdi teaches in Worcester and London. Further details here.
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