On Sunday, October 25 at 4:00PM, Christopher Jacobson, who became Duke Chapel Organist one year ago, will present the annual Frank Hawkins Kenan Memorial Organ Recital at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Durham.
Mr. Jacobson or “Kit,” as he is often known, has acquired a reputation for being not only an outstanding organ virtuoso, but for being Duke’s “marathon man.” Not only does he run marathons, but on three occasions he has performed Bach marathons. That is, he has played the 257 organ works of Bach, roughly 22 hours of music, on two consecutive days. This has meant playing each day seven recitals, each roughly 90 minutes in length, separated by 10- to 15-minute rest breaks!
At St. Stephen’s he will not be doing another Bach marathon, but he will be performing an all Bach recital of normal length. Titled Credo, A Year of Johann Sebastian Bach, the program features chorale-preludes which trace the liturgical year from Advent through Pentecost. Bracketing the chorale-preludes will be two free works serving as majestic bookends for the recital: the massive Prelude in E-flat, BWV 552, written in French overture style, and the Fugue in E-flat, BWV 552, the “St. Anne” or “Trinity” fugue. In its overall design Kit’s recital mimics recitals given by Bach himself.
The recital is part of the 2015-2016 season of the St. Stephen’s Concert Series. Tickets ($25) are available at the door (cash or check only). The concert is free for those 18 or under.
A screen at the front of the nave will allow the audience to see Kit in action at the church’s rear balcony Flentrop. A half hour Pre-Cooncert Discussion will take place at 3:00PM.
