Homepage of Georg Mertens & the famous world longest series of Cello Concerts.
The Cathedral Chamber at Jenolan Caves is a natural concert hall with the world's purest acoustics, part of the Jenolan caves, the world's oldest cave system - 340 million years old.
Find here: dates - programs - audio, CD's & video.
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For your Comfort:
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CD "CELLO SOLOS"
Live Recordings from the Caves
(click on CD cover to listen)
TRACKS
1 – Cathedral Ciaconna (Georg Mertens)
2 - Variations on Neidhardt's “Maienzeit” (Georg Mertens)
3 - Hungarian Rhapsody op 68 (David Popper)
4 - The Swan - (Camille Saint-Saens)
5 - Arabian Improvisation for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
6 - Nana from Suite Populaire Espagnole (Manuel de Falla)
7 - Asturias (Isaac Albeniz arr. for cello solo G M)
8 - Verano Porteno (Astor Piazzolla arr. G M)
9 - Sarabande from Suite V for cello solo, BWV 1011
10 - Erh-Hu Improvisation for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
11 - Prelude No 3 from 5 Preludes for Guitar (Heitor Villa-Lobos arr. G M)
12 - Tango Celloguitar for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
13 - Meditation from Thais (Jules Massenet arr. G M)
14 - Tarantella (William Squire arr. for cello solo G M)
15 - Spanish Romance for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
16 - Vocalise op 34 No 14 (Sergej Rachmaninov)
17 - Ich armes Maegdelein for cello solo (Collection Forster 1546 arr. by G M))
To purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below
$20 - FREE shipping within Australia
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Jenolan Caves
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An artist's impression of a Jenolan Caves Formation
(Ceramic Lamp on Purple Heart base by Sian Thomas - for artist's website see above)
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Georg playing pizzicato at The 'Broken Column' on the exit walk from the Cathedral Chamber
(photo Rob Whyte)
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J.S. Bach - The Six Cello Suites (2 CD's)
Georg Mertens - solo cello
(click on CD Icon to listen to
or download the Suites on iTunes)Georg Mertens - solo cello
J.S.BACH - The Six Cello Suites
A New Interpretation according to the
dynamic mapping by Bach
TRACKS
DISC 1
Suite No 1 in G major BWV 1007
1 Prelude(Dotzauer) 2:23
2 Allemande 4:48
3 Courante 2:51
4 Sarabande 3:15
5 Menuets 3:22
6 Gigue 1:45Suite No 2 in D minor BWV 1008
7 Prelude 4:16
8 Allemande 3:52
9 Courante 2:22
10 Sarabande 4:56
11 Menuets 3:26
12 Gigue 2:53Suite No 6 in D major BWV 1012
13 Prelude 5:20
14 Allemande 7:19
15 Courante 4:12
16 Sarabande 5:50
17 Gavottes 4:40
18 Gigue 5:01
DISC 2
Suite No 3 in C major BWV 1009
1 Prelude 3:40
2 Allemande 4:04
3 Courante 3:34
4 Sarabande 4:30
5 Bourrees 4:04
6 Gigue 3:20
Suite No 4 in Eb major BWV 1010
7 Prelude 4:22
8 Allemande 4:47
9 Courante 3:45
10 Sarabande 4:35
11 Bourrees 5:01
12 Gigue 2:45
Suite No 5 in C minor BWV 1011
13 Prelude 6:45
14 Allemande 6:21
15 Courante 2:33
16 Sarabande 2:59
17 Gavotte 5:10
18 Gigue 2:03
To purchase a set of CD's (2) within Australia click on Paypal icon below
$30 - FREE shipping within Australia
Welcome to the Homepage of
GEORG MERTENS
CELLO CONCERTS IN THE CAVE
CATHEDRAL CHAMBER
at JENOLAN CAVES
Famous for the World's purest Acoustics
the World's longest series of cello concerts
Concerts are held in 2013
on every third Saturday of the month - 4pm
Tickets: $70 / children $40
BOOKINGS 1300 76 3311 or 02 6359 3911
24 HOUR on-line BOOKING:
ph. 136 100
(Click on icon)
Programs for 2013 (just below)
- 4 seasonal programs -
Short History of the Caves Concerts (click here)
Brief CV of GeorgMertens (click here)
Cello Concerts 16th Anniversary
Sat. 21 Sept 2013 - 4pm
197 Concerts since Sept 1997 -
the world's longest series of cello concerts in history!
From Bach to sounds invented for the Cave.
Programs for 2013
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To inquire about private recitals or House concerts contact: georgcello@hotmail.com ph 02 4782 5440 For our music at weddings and functions contact: gustawviolin@gmail.com mob. 0409 304 977 |
The Cello Concerts in the Cave - History
1860's - The Cathedral Chamber was discovered (the first cave at Jenolan to be discovered, named the "New Cave"; only later the name Jenolan was given)
Soon the cave became known for its stunning acoustics - and used for church services.1920's - Dame Nelly Melba arrived by horse and cart to sing and experience the acoustics. No concert was arranged.
1970's - Dame Joan Sutherland sang in the Cathedral Chamber and stated: This hall has the most perfect acoustics I have ever sung in.
1980's - The Vienna Boys Choir drove up to sing in the Chamber with the famous acoustics
- John Denver visiting Australia did not want to miss singing in this hall famous for the purest acoustics in the world.
Again, no one organised a concert. No ticket was sold.
Lucky were the ones sharing the normal tour the musicians happened to be in.1990's - American audio companies booked the Cathedral Chamber to test their microphones. The large hall offering a large space, total silence and a short, but strong echo seemed perfect.
July 1997 - All the above stories were told to me by the Caves House manager at the time, Lorraine Duffy - I was playing as part of the the Blue Mountains Trio (see webpage) regularly at Jenolan Caves House.
I mentioned: "I would love to visit a concert there. Do you know when they are on?"
Lorraine: "There are none. Somehow no one organises them."
I answered: "I'd love to play there!"
Six weeks later the Cello Concerts in the Cave were born.
September 1997 - The first series of 4 cello concerts takes place, called: Suite September (I played only Bach Suites)
January / February 1998 - Caves Hopuse management had changed, the cultural support had gone.
I approached Cave Tours manager Steve Riley asking to give it a try.
After taking local advice I pinned only a small notice on the board so the concert didn't get overbooked: No one booked.
I cancelled the next concert and started my advertising program (before internet): many flyers, posters.
The remaning 4 concerts were increasingly well visited.
January 1999 - Regular monthly concerts on every 3rd Saturday of the month. From my experience regular events were much more successful.
August 1999 - Up to now I knew at least of a few people who would come. This month I knew no one. I was worried. This was the first concert to be sold out.
2000 - 2002 - I received great voluntary and free support, among them the Qantas magazine and Sydney Morning Herald.
In 2002 most concerts were sold out; the caves manager at the time suggests to start a second series.
First CD recorded in the Cathedral: "(cello) Music at Jenolan Caves".
January 2003 - First concert with the Paganini Duo on every 4th Saturday of the month, performing Gypsy music and South American music, with my friend Gustaw Szelski on vilin & me on guitar. Our Duo had been formed in 1989.September 2007 - 10 years of Concert in the Caves - Caves general managre Peter Austen called the concerts "the quiet achiever", instead of one big event, 24 small ones over the year were the most successful event.
2012 - Over more than 15 years the Cello Concerts in the Cave: the world's longest series of cello concerts, more than 180!January 2013 - 10 Years of Gypsy music in the cave with the Paganini Duo.
GEORG MERTENS - short CV
1952 - Born in Aachen / Germany. Wanted to play cello since the age of 4.
1960 - Learned recorder at the age of 8 for a year as a condition to get a discount for cello lessons.
1961 - Commencing cello lessons at the age of 9.
1972 - High School HSC (Gymnasium Abitur) school prize for music.
1972-78 - Tertiary studies at "Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik Freiburg / Germany Diploma majoring in Cello (1976) Guitar (1978)
Masterclasses with Enrico Mainardi (scholarship) and Janos Starker.
Concert tours including Sweden, France, Austria, Germany
Conducting chamber music master classes in Salzburg (Austria) and Koenigstein
(1972-76 - Also: One year studies in Geography / Geology
Training in client centered psychotherapy / Councelling in Education)
1972 - today. Teacher of cello & guitar
1978-80 - Cello/guitar teacher at Musikschule Steglitz, Berlin
Concert series in old village churches of Berlin
Concert series "in alten Heidekirchen" North Germany
1980-84 - Cello/guitar teacher at Kreismusikschule Schleswig-Flensburg, head of string department
1985 Emigration to Australia
1986 Lecturer at UNE, Armidale (composition/music theory)
1989-99 - Ensemble performances with: Winbourne String Qartett / Tarantella Trio / Paganini Duo / The Blue Mountains Trio (more than 1000 performances)
This includes several tours of NSW & Queensland
TV Broadcasts included: The 'Ray martin Show', 'The Great Outdoors', 'Sydney Weekender', 'Beyond 2000', 'Good Morning Australia'. Many radio stations including the ABC and 2MBS FM.
1993/4 - 2 MBS FM Radio recordings of the complete 6 Suites for cello solo by JS Bach / Benjamin Britten solo Suite 2 / Brahms Sonata e minor
Performance of Schubert Sonata for Arpeggione as part of live on air celebration "20 years of 2 MBS FM"
1997 - today. Cello Concerts at Jenolan Caves -
This event has grown to be the longest series of cello concerts in history with more than 150 cello concerts.
1999 - East Asia tour with The Blue Mountains Trio & Paganini Duo
2001 - Cello solo Concert tour of East & West Germany
2003 - today. Concert at Jenolan Caves with the Paganini Duo
2007/8 - Concerts at Wellington Caves (cello solo & Paganini Duo)
2009 - Cello solo Concerts in Ireland
Besides giving concerts Georg teaches privately cello and Classical guitar in Katoomba / Blue Mountains.
CD's
LP "Alte und neue Musik fuer klassische Gitarre" (Lueneburg) 1983
CD "Blue Mountains Gypsies" (Paganini Duo) violin & guitar/cello 1996
CD "Music for Grand Dining" (Blue Mountains Trio) violin/cello/piano 1997
CD "Music at Jenolan Caves" (G. Mertens), cello solo 2000
CD "Classical Guitar" (G. Mertens) guitar solo 2002
CD "Sounds of Timber" (Jodie Goldney & G. Mertens) various recorders & cello/guitar 2004
CD "An Hour in Heaven" (Paganini Duo) violin & guitar/cello 2007
CD "Cello Favourites" (G Mertens & Gavin Tipping) cello & piano 2008
CD "Cello Solos" (G. Mertens) 2009Articles:
The Structure of the Song of the Australian Magpie (1998)
An Analysis of Bow Technique (2008)
The 6 Cello Suites by J.S.Bach - History - Analysis - Audio - Video (2012)
Also:"This is no Poetry - Poems by a crazy man with no feeling for Rhyme" (1998)
Poetry (2003)
Poems from the Cold Mountain / Han Shan (1998 / 2002)
Compositions:
* - has been recorded on CD / # - can be viewed on Youtube
(Scores can be viewed on the "sheetmusic" page / For recordings see "CD-releases" page)
1996 - Ideas upon the River Maros f violin $ guitar *
1999 - Cathedral Ciaconna f cello solo * #
Fantasy on Jenolan Caves f cello solo *
2000 - Variations on "Maytime (Maienzeit)" f cello solo * #
2003 - Multicultural Suite f various recorders & cello *
2004 - Anniversary Valse f violin & cello
Cantilena f violin & guitar
2006 - Tango Celloguitar f cello solo * #
2007 - Variations on "My Fiddle is broken, my Heart is broken" f violin & guitar #
2010 - Variations on Sakura, Sakura f cello solo #
Transcriptions for cello solo:
Asturias (Albeniz)* #
Verano Porteno (Piazzolla) * #
Melancholy Galliard (Dowland)
Cantico (Sojo)
Prelude 3 (Villa-Lobos) *
Spanish Romance (Anonymus) * #
Accompaniments for guitar to:
Czardas (Monti) *
Hungarian Dance No 5 (Brahms) #
Hungarian Fantasy (Russ-Bovelino) * #
Transcriptions for guitar:
Praeambulum C BWV 924 (Bach)
Violin parts to:
Spanish Romance (Anonymus)
2009 (edited) Cello method in 2 Volumes, c 100 pieces (in the making since 1990)
2010 (edited) Guitar student performance pieces, 18 pieces (composed 1990-2005)
Music by Georg Mertens in Movies:
2012 - The following 7 music pieces recorded and arranged or composed by Georg Mertens has been selected for the movie "Fils de Grece" (Greece) to be in cinemas c mid 2013:
Asturias - Meditation - Spanish Romance - Variations on Sakura, Sakura - Tango CelloGuitar - Didgeridoo - Vivaldi Largo II e minor
To inquire about private recitals or House concerts contact:
georgcello@hotmail.com
ph 02 4782 5440
For our music at weddings and functions contact:
gustawviolin@gmail.com
mob. 0409 304 977
Recorded compositions for the Concerts in the Cave:
"Jenolan Ciaconna" (1999)
"Variations on Maytime" (1999)
Anonymus/Georg Mertens- Spanish Romance (2006)
"Tango Celloguitar" (2006/7)
Free improvisations:
" Erh Hu" Improvisation
"Arabian Improvisation"Arrangements for solo cello:
Heitor Villa-Lobos - Prelude No 3 (1978/2004)
Issac Albeniz - Leyenda (Asturias) (2006)
Astor Piazzolla - Verano Porteno (2007)
CELLO SOLOS - Live Recordings from the Concerts in the Cave:
For the sheet music of compositions and transcriptions see:
sheet muisc
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GEORG MERTENS studied guitar with Prof. Anton Stingl in Freiburg / Germany. He gave more than a 100 concerts in Europe. In 1983 he recorded a LP with Classical guitar solos (Luneburg).
In Australia he recorded the “Blue Cassette” (1990) and in 2001 the CD “Classical guitar – re issued”
Several scores of the performances have been arranged by Georg Mertens and are available on the "sheetmusic" web page.
See Georg Mertens playing "Didgeridoo" for solo cello
in the Cave
(click on photo)
Photo Rob Whyte
[ For "Didgeridoo" on iTunes click here ]
For joining our email list
contact:
georgcello@hotmail.com
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Korean- - Russian
- Hindi
Turkish- Greek
- Espanol
- French- Italian
- Polski
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Hungarian- Portuguese
- // - Arabic - //
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Concert Bookings:
ph. 1300 76 3311 or 02 6359 3911 then dial 2NOW ALSO:
24 HOUR on-line BOOKING:
ph. 136 100
- or click on icon for:
For Cave Tours visit the website: jenolancaves.org.au
On site Accomodation:
Jenolan Caves House
ph 02 6359 3322
www.jenolancaveshouse.com.auBlue Mountains Accomodation:
Hideaway Retreat - Wentworth Falls Bushland
ph 02 4757 3812
www.hideawayretreat.com.au
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Why going into this Cave for a Concert?
Be transported back - just for an hour - into a much simpler and purer world (mobile phones don't work here) - sharing the unamplified sound of the cello or fiery Gypsy Music.
This particular Chamber is famous for its perfect acoustics (the world's clearest and purest) and is also stunningly beautiful.
Inside the Cave is total silence - no noise of cars and plains, no airconditioning hums, no door noises,
not even the sound of wind.
In difference to most concert halls,
the distance to the performer is only 3-12 meters.It never rains in the Cave, if hot or cold outside,
inside the Cave it's always 15 Degrees
No weather forecast is necessary to plan visiting a Concert in the Cave.(the access to the Cathedral Chamber is c 10 min. and includes some flights of stairs - bring a light jumper)
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To inquire about private recitals or House concerts contact:
georgcello@hotmail.com
ph 02 4782 5440
For our music at weddings and functions contact:
gustawviolin@gmail.com
mob. 0409 304 977
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CD "Cello Favourites" (2008)
Georg Mertens (cello) and Gavin Tipping (piano)
(click on CD cover to listen via iTunes)
(For program notes for this CD see
"Downloads & CD's" page)
TRACKS
1 Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonatina in D minor
2 Jean Babtiste Breval: Sonata in C major: I. Allegro
3 Georg Friedrich Handel: Aria in F major
4 Domenico dalla Bella: Sonata in C major: II. Giga
5 Henry Eccles: Sonata in G minor: I. Largo
6 - II. Allegro
7 J.S.Bach: Suite No. 1 in G major, Prelude
8 - Suite No. 1 : III. Courante
9 Bach - Gounod: Meditation - Ave Maria
10 J.S.Bach: Arioso from Cantata BWV 156: Adagio
11 Antonio Vivaldi: Sonata E minor RV 40: I. Largo
12 - II. Allegro
13 Giovanni Baptista Pergolesi: Nina - from the opera Tre Giorni
14 David Popper: Happy (Fond) Recollections
15 Gabriel Faure: Sicilienne Op 78
16 Cesare Cui: Oriental from Le Kaleidoscope
17 Piotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky: Chanson Triste
18 Gabriel Marie: La Cinquantaine
19 Piotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky: Valse Sentimental
20 Bernhard Romberg: Sonata E minor Op. 38: I. Allegro non troppo
To purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below
$20 - FREE shipping within Australia
Georg Mertens (photo by Peter Adams)
Gavin Tipping (photo by Diane Tipping)
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The Cathedral Chamber - The performance space
Here duriung a performance of the "Paganini Duo"
with Gustaw Szelski - violin & Georg Mertens - guitar
(photo Michael Small from Kumbaya Studios / Leura)
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Cathedral Chamber - the 'organ pipes' (photo GM)
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Track to the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)
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The Cathedral Chamber - left side (photo GM)
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The old entrance in the Cathedral Chamber (photo GM)