This high-definition film was produced and directed by Bruce Patterson of Pilot Films and narrated by Classic FM presenter, Rodney Trudgeon. It paints an illuminating picture of the background, motivation and challenges associated with building the church’s impressive new pipe organ, which was custom-built by esteemed Austrian firm Rieger Orgelbau and installed earlier this year.

The DVD launch comes a week ahead of the much-anticipated organ concerts in Johannesburg by French organist Olivier Latry, the “titulaire” or chief organist of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Latry has achieved worldwide fame as the rock star equivalent of the organ world – its very own Elton John.

On Thursday, 15 November and Friday, 16 November, Latry will perform identical concerts on the new pipe organ at St George’s at 19.30. He will give another concert, featuring different repertoire, at St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral in central Johannesburg on Saturday, 17 November, also at 19.30.

Latry will be the latest international concert organist to perform on this world-class instrument since its inauguration in April.

The building of a new pipe organ is an extremely rare event for Johannesburg. To have one installed by world-leaders Rieger Orgelbau is so unusual and so special that a special DVD has been made to commemorate the occasion.

It is the first new pipe organ to have been built in an Anglican Church in Johannesburg for 30 years and was donated by Nicky and Strilli Oppenheimer as their contribution to celebrating their parish church’s centenary in 2004. The Oppenheimer family has enjoyed a long and close association with St George’s through the generations, and Nicky and Strilli were keen to come on board to help the church acquire a new, world-class organ.

A tremendous undertaking, it took eight years to appoint the organ builders and to custom-design, build and install this organ containing 1,984 pipes.

A Rieger on the Reef is an engaging 45-minute film that documents the complexities of replacing a modest pipe organ with a much larger instrument in the Sir Herbert Baker-designed church which, being a heritage building, could not be altered in any way. The intricacies of balancing age-old traditions with modern technology are charted in engrossing detail.

This remarkable documentary contains rare footage of the history of St George’s, demonstrations of the shortcomings of the old organ, a behind-the-scenes look at the construction, installation and voicing of the organ, scenes from the dedication service on Easter Day and the opening concert two weeks later, and interviews with Nicky Oppenheimer, the organ builders and the technical advisors.

Scenes from the opening events when the organ was taken into use in April have been captured and the DVD’s bonus features include tracks of live performances from the opening concert. Among these are the Air in a G-string played by violinist Zanta Hofmeyr, accompanied on the new organ, and the Widor Toccata performed by Wim Viljoen, professor of music at Pretoria University and a popular recording artist with Hofmeyr.

Diocesan organ advisor Sidney Place, who played a large role in directing the technical aspects of the project, said: “This DVD provides gripping viewing as it recounts the often difficult path to completing a fantastic project. It is like watching a thriller, not a factual documentary.”

Added Peter Campbell, the chairman of the steering committee: “The people of St George’s are absolutely thrilled to have this magnificent new pipe organ, which will enhance their worship as well as giving joy to many people who will hear it being played, even outside the church services.”

The DVD, A Rieger on the Reef may be purchased at R120 per copy, and enquiries may be directed to [email protected] or (011) 482-1606.

Olivier Latry’s concerts take place at 19.30 at St George’s in Sherborne Road, Parktown, Johannesburg on Thursday, 15 November and Friday, 16 November. Tickets are R175 per person. He will also perform at 19.30 at St Mary’s Cathedral in central Johannesburg on Saturday, 17 November, for which a park-and-ride bus shuttle service will be in operation from the Linder Auditorium. Tickets, including the shuttle fee, cost R130 per person. Booking for all three concerts is at Computicket.

There is a discounted price (R220 from R295) with a combined purchase of the DVD and a ticket an Olivier Latry concert.