Faculty members from the Department of Organ and Historical Keyboards will be featured in several recitals throughout the city during this year’s EROI (Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative) Festival Thursday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 14. Since no two pipe organs are exactly the same, the series of recitals provides the opportunity to hear the rich and unique sounds produced by different local instruments.
The Italian baroque organ in the Fountain Court of the Memorial Art Gallery will be showcased in two performances. At 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, David Higgs, professor and chair of the organ department, Hans Davidsson, professor of organ, and William Porter, professor of harpsichord and organ, will present a concert highlighting the music of 17th century organist and composer Dieterich Buxtehude. This concert also features a special performance of a piece written for the Italian baroque organ by Rochester composer Scott Perkins. At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, Stephen Kennedy, instructor in sacred music, will direct the Christ Church Schola Cantorum ensemble in a concert of vocal and instrumental music by Buxtehude and Italian masters Monteverdi, Palestrina, Merulo, and Bassani.
The Skinner Opus 655 organ in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 25 Westminster Rd., will be featured at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in a performance by Higgs and guest artist Todd Wilson, head of the organ department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Their concert will include the music of Dupre, Phillips, Widor, and the first Rochester performance of a work for two organs, the Alexander Variations by Calvin Hampton. Then, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, Porter and Davidsson will perform on the Brombaugh Opus 9 organ in Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park.
The Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative is a long-range project to make Rochester a global center for organ research and performance. The annual EROI Festival, first held in 2002, draws organ students, builders, and performers from all arts of the world to participate in workshops, seminars, and performances.
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Calendar listings:
Thursday, Oct. 11
8:30 p.m.
Italian Baroque Organ Showcase Concert Series, organ and harpsichord recital with David Higgs, Hans Davidsson, and William Porter
Fountain Court, Memorial Art Gallery
500 University Ave.
Tickets $12 ($8 students)
Friday, Oct. 12
8:30 p.m.
Organ recital with David Higgs and Todd Wilson
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
25 Westminster Rd.
Tickets $12 ($8 students)
Saturday, Oct. 13
8:30 p.m.
Organ recital by William Porter and Hans Davidsson
Sacred Heart Cathedral
296 Flower City Park
Tickets $12 ($8 students)
Sunday, Oct. 14
5:30 p.m.
Italian Baroque Organ Showcase Concert Series, vocal and instrumental music by Buxtehude, Christ Church Schola Cantorum, Stephen Kennedy, director
Fountain Court, Memorial Art Gallery
500 University Ave.
Tickets $12 ($8 students)