BACHanalia, March 22, 2009

Front Row (L-R): Karl Bachman, Carl Crosier, Miki Yamamoto, Mei-Li Wang, Samuel Lam, Jordan McCreary, 

Ina Young, Yuri McCoy. Back Row: (L-R) Laura Bleakley, Katherine Crosier, Nyle Hallman. 

Not Shown: Thomas Rhoads

Twelve organists played to an overflow crowd at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, Sunday, March 22nd, in celebration of the International Year of the Organ and Johann Sebastian Bach's 324th birthday. The program was:

Fantasia in G major, BWV 572 (Samuel Lam)

Partita on "Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig," BWV 768 (Katherine Crosier)

Prelude and Fugue in F major, BWV 556 (Jordan McCreary)

Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 (Carl Crosier, harpsichord)

Four Chorale Preludes from Orgelbüchlein (C. Thomas Rhoads)

   Christus, der uns selig macht, BWV 620

   Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599

   Das alte Jahre vergangen ist, BWV 614

   Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten, BWV 642

Prelude and Fugue in E minor "Cathedral", BWV 533 (Miki Yamamoto)

interval

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (Carl Crosier)

Trio Sonata in C major, BWV 529 (Karl Bachman)

Fugue in G minor, BWV 578 (Laura Bleakley)

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654 (Ina Young)

Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 535 (Mei-Li Wang)

Pastorale, BWV 590 (Nyle Hallman)

Prelude and Fugue in D major (BWV 532), Yuri McCoy

Carl Crosier at the Beckerath Organ (1975)

(click to enlarge photo)

Following the organ concert, a catered "Bach's Lunch" was available in the courtyard. 

At 5:15 pm, Bach Vespers for Lent was presented by the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir and Bach Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Carl Crosier with Katherine Crosier, organist. The music included:

Prelude: O Gott du frommer Gott, BWV 767

Processional Hymn: Our God, to whom we turn (O Gott, du frommer Gott)

Preces and Responses

Psalm 6 (Heinrich Schütz)

Psalm 130 De Profundis (Aus tiefer Not)

Chorale Prelude: Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BuxWV 178 (Dietrich Buxtehude)

Office Hymn: Commit whatever grieves thee (Herzlich tut mich verlangen)

Magnificat: Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, BWV 10

Cantata: Jesu nahm zu sich die Zwölfe, BWV 22

Offertory Motet: O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht, BWV 118b

Chorale Prelude: Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn, BWV 601

Processional Hymn: When o'er my sins I sorrow, Lord (Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn)

Postlude: Aus tiefer Not, schrei ich zu dir, BWV 686

Dr. Joyce Jones in Hawaii

Dr. Joyce Jones, Baylor University's Joyce Oliver Bowden Professor of Music and Organist-in-Residence, was in Hawaii with her husband, Bob, for a cruise of the Hawaiian islands. On March 15th at Central Union Church, Dr. Jones talked about her career as a professional concert organist and teacher, and why she calls herself "an accidental organist." Even though she had not played an organ keyboard in 10 days,  she delighted the audience with an informal program which showcased the various colors of the organ. The program included the first movement of Bach's transcription of Vivaldi's "Concerto in A minor," "Pastorale in the Aviary" by Myron Roberts, "Variations on a Noel" by Marcel Dupré, Charles Ives' "Variations on America," and several of her own compositions, concluding with "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Rimsky-Korsakov. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon was spent by all.

Hawaii Chapter AGO Board members welcome Dr. Joyce Jones.

Dr. Jones meets Naomi, a young organ student.

Here are the organ students who came to the afternoon program.

Fred Swann's Concert, January 16, 2009

It is always a delight to welcome former National AGO President, Dr. Frederick Swann, to Hawaii, and he says it's one of his favorite places to visit, having come here on a regular basis since 1957. Nearly 200 people braved storm threats to come to the concert.

Shown with Margaret Lloyd, host organist of Central Union Church.

Friends for over 50 years: Nyle Hallman and Fred Swann.

Fred Swann is flanked by Carl and Kathy Crosier.

Jordan and his grandfather, John McCreary.

Don Conover is all smiles with Fred Swann.

One of the youngest organists, Christopher.

Fred Swann at the console of the Aeolian-Skinner organ at Central Union Church.