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, accompanied by 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 and ailing windchests and tubes concealed in the dusty organ chambers. The Kilgen Organ Company of St. Louis, MO completed this historic pipe organ in 1925, with some pipework dating from the end of the nineteenth century.

In order to raise awareness of the urgent need to repair this historic instrument, together with the Parish Staff and Pastor, Fr. Richard 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 calendar of the church’s year, last approximately an hour, and present a short, pre-concert lecture before the recital, and feature organ literature appropriate to the present condition of the instrument.

The recital on February 20 featured works for soprano and organ by Alain, Bach, Bingen, Dupré, and Steffani, most of which have been inspired by sacred subjects and events from Lent and Easter. It also included a premiere of my new work for an unaccompanied soprano, Læetare Vox, composed for the Chicago soprano and St. Michael’s cantor, Henriët Fourie, who premiered the piece. You can listen to the excerpts from the concert recording below.

H. von Bingen, O Rubor Sanguinis

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J. S. Bach,
Chorale Prelude O Sacred Head Now Wounded

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Aus Liebe WIll Mein Heiland Sterben, from ‘St. Matthew Passion’

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Ich folge dir gleichfalls from ‘St. John Passion’

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A. Steffani, Stabat Mater from ‘Stabat Mater’

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M. Dupré, Vexilla Regis from ‘Le Tombeau de Titelouze’, op. 38

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J. Alain, Choral
Z. Nagy, Læetare Vox (Chicago premiere)

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J. S. Bach, Toccata and Fugue in d minor

Zvonimir Nagy, organ
Henriët Fourie, soprano

February 20 at 7 pm with a pre-concert lecture at 6:45.
Admission to this event was by donation; all the proceeds will benefit the repair and restoration of the Kilgen pipe organ.

Thank you for your support our organ project!

3 Responses

1. Engela Piek says:

   February 23, 2010 at 11:14 am

   Beautiful, beautiful, Beautiful !

   Wished I could attend this concert but the sound on this site was good and I enjoyed every minute.

   Henriët’s voice and the organ worked together superbly and it was a delight.

   Please record and post more – and good luck with all the forthcoming concerts together !
2. Jeanette Fourie says:

   February 23, 2010 at 1:06 pm

   It is very beautiful and very clear. Henriet’s voice is absolutely beautiful!!Thank you so much for sharing it with us as we would not be able to witness these special moments in person.
   May God bless your work and time that you put in by creating and producing the sacred music in the church. What a wonderful way to honor God!!
3. nagymusic says:

   March 2, 2010 at 9:40 am

   Thanks so much for your comments! I just added two additional excerpts (two Bach arias). Enjoy!