The Program

J. S. BACH (1685-1750)

Prelude & Fugue in C, from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II (BWV 870)

“The Well-Tempered Clavier by Johann Sebastian Bach is played often by pianists, harpsichordists, and clavichordists, but – strangely – not often by organists. They are extraordinary pieces, many of which frankly sound better on the organ than on any other instrument. I will play the Prelude & Fugue in C major from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II.”

JOHN COOK (1918-1984)

Adagio, from “Variations on Alles ist an Gottes Segen”

“Born in Canada, John Cook was MIT's Institute Organist in the 1960s.  One of the many fine works Cook composed during his MIT years was the 'Variations on Alles ist an Gottes Segen,' published in 1967. The Eighth Variation is a beautiful Adagio.”

DIETRICH BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707)

Fugue in C major ("Jig Fugue") (BuxWV 174)

“From the 1930s until his death in 1962, Melville Smith was one of the most influential figures in the American organ scene.  He held particular sway over the instruments of Walter Holtkamp, including the two MIT organs. Smith played the dedicatory concert of the Chapel organ, on May 8th, 1955. One of the works he played was the piece you are about to hear: the famous 'Jig Fugue' by Buxtehude.”

VINCENZO PETRALI (1830-1889)

Elevazione in Ab Major

"Vincenzo Petrali was known as il principe degli organisti, 'the prince of organists.' At different times he was organist of cathedrals in Cremona, Bergamo, and Crema, before settling into a teaching position in Pesaro. His beautiful Elevazione in Ab major has a beauty and lyricism which could have come only from the pen of a 19th-century Italian."

CIAMPA (born 1971) “Paean for Judith “(Op. 214)

“In Ancient Greece, a paean was a hymn sung in praise of Apollo. Paeans were usually in the Ancient Greek Dorian mode, which corresponds to the modern Phrygian mode. But you don't need to know that to appreciate this paean, which I composed especially for this broadcast. Dedicated to Judith Storandt in Washington, D.C., it is based loosely – sometimes very loosely – on the hymntune Nettleton.”

JOHN HARBISON (born 1938)

“O Magnum Mysterium “(short setting)

originally for choir a cappella, transcribed for organ solo

“John Harbison is not only an Institute Professor at MIT but is one of the most famous contemporary composers in the world.  Though he does not have any solo organ works in his catalogue, in 1992 he wrote a beautiful setting of O Magnum Mysterium for the choir of the Rivers School in Weston, MA. I asked Prof. Harbison's permission to play this choral motet as an organ solo.  It is the perfect vehicle to exploit the beautiful individual voices of the Chapel organ.”

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)

“Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottessohn” (BWV 601)

“One of J. S. Bach's most jubilant organ works, 'Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottessohn' is No. 3 in the collection of 46 short but difficult organ chorale preludes known as the Orgelbüchlein, or 'Little Organ Book.'”

“I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY” – arr. Ciampa

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.”

Recorded by Scott Kent.
Organ prepared by Mark Edward Nelson.

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