Old Town Organ Vespers
The historic presence of St. Michael in Old Town Church in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago has produced a number of memorable music events. It would suffice to mention the exquisite performances of Music of the Baroque, and the church’s captivating acoustics and heavenly architectural treasures.
However, beyond the beauty of this sacred space and its memories, within the confines of its tall columns and lofty vaulted ceilings, high in the second balcony, one finds a number of dormant pipes concealed in the dusty organ chambers. The historic pipe organ, with some pipework dating from the end of the nineteenth century, was built by the Kilgen organ company of St. Louis, MO. In order to raise awareness of the urgent need to repair this historic instrument, together with the Parish staff and Pastor, Fr. Thibodeau, I initiated a series of organ recitals this past Fall under the name of “Old Town Organ Vespers.” These seasonal events more or less accompany the seasons of the church’s year, last approximately an hour, and feature organ literature appropriate to the present condition of the instrument.
This upcoming recital on February 20 will feature works for soprano and organ by Bach, Bingen, Steffani, and Tournemire, most of which have been inspired by sacred subjects and events from Lent and Easter. It will also include a premiere of a new work for an unaccompanied soprano, Læetare Voci, composed for the soprano Henriët Fourie, who will perform it in the concert.
O Rubor Sanguinis by H. von Bingen
Stabat Mater from ‘Stabat Mater’ by A. Steffani
Ich folge dir gleichfalls from St. John’s Passion by J. S. Bach
Office Dominica Resurrectionis from Petites Fleurs Musicales by C. Tournemire
Læetare Vox by Z. Nagy (premiere)
Toccata and Fugue in d minor by J. S. Bach
Zvonimir Nagy, organ
Henriët Fourie, soprano
February 20 at 7 pm with a pre-concert lecture at 6:45.
Admission by donation. All the proceeds will benefit the repair and restoration of the Kilgen pipe organ. Please come to hear some nice music and support our organ project!
St. Michael in Old Town Church, 1633 N. Cleveland Avenue, Chicago, IL
