At Rockefeller Chapel #0937
Performances from inaugural season concerts featuring the University of Chicago’s recently renovated 1928 Skinner organ.
Hour 1
WILLIAM HENRY HARRIS: Coronation Fanfare. SIR HUBERT PARRY: Coronation Anthem, I was glad –University of Chicago Choirs, James Kallembach, conductor; Thomas Weisflog, organ; recorded June 7, 2008
J.S. BACH: Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist, BWV 667; Christ, unser Herr zum Jordan kam, BWV 684. OLIVIER MESSIAEN: The gifts of the spirit and Sortie, from Messe de la Pentecote. –Dame Gillian Weir; recorded October 2, 2008
SAMUEL BARBER: Adagio for Strings –Thomas Murray; recorded October 19, 2008
LEO SOWERBY: Passacaglia, from Symphony in G –Thomas Weisflog; recorded October 6, 2008
Filler –FRANÇOIS COUPERIN: Recit de tierce en taille, from Messe pour les Couvents –Dame Gillian Weir; recorded October 2, 2008
Hour 2
GEORGI MUSHEL: Toccata [1947]. JEAN LANGLAIS: Variations on a theme of Frescobaldi. SERGEI SLONIMSKY: Toccata [1961] –Dame Gillian Weir; recorded October 2, 2008
WOLFGANG RÜBSAM: 4 Hymn-Improvisations: The Risen Christ; Eternal Spirig of the Living Christ; Soul, adorn thyself; Thine the Amen –Wolfgang Rübsam; recorded March 12, 2009
SIR EDWARD ELGAR: Andante espressivo [iii] and Presto [iv] from Organ Sonata Number 1 in G, Opus 28 –Thomas Murray; recorded October 19, 2008
LEO SOWERBY: Prelude on Deus tuorum militum –Thomas Weisflog; recorded October 6, 2008
FRANK BRIDGE: Adagio in E –Thomas Murray; recorded October 19, 2008
Filler –LEO SOWERBY: Passacaglia (see above)
During the 1960s, an attempt was made to downplay the orchestral character of Mr. Skinners Opus 634 and give it an unnatural ‘Baroque’ voice. After years of planning, and the retrieval of many ranks of pipes that had been ‘de-accessioned’, the Schantz Organ Company has reaffirmed the Rockefeller Chapel organ’s original character, with additions. Jeffrey Dexter, Schantz tonal director, provides commentary.
