1928 Skinner; 2008 Schantz organ at Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

At Rockefeller Chapel

Performances from inaugural season concerts featuring the University of Chicago’s recently renovated 1928 Skinner organ.

Program Broadcast dates:

• Week of September 14, 2009

Featured Organ:

• (1928 Skinner; 2008 Schantz/Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL)

Links and Resources:

• In conversation with Michael Barone, Schantz Organ Company tonal director Jeffrey Dexter speaks to the challenges of ‘restoring’ a major instrument by iconic American builder Ernest M. Skinner:
• Jeffrey Dexter describes the visual experience of the interior of Rockefeller Chapel and the placement of the pipe organ’s various elements:
• Barone talks with Dexter about activities at the Schantz factory in Orville, Ohio:
• Two new scores were commissioned for the Skinner Organ’s inaugural concert at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on June 7, 2008. Listen to them online:
• WILLIAM BOLCOM [born 1938]; text by John Dryden –Rockefeller Chapel Choir and Motet Choir, James Kallembach, conductorThomas Weisflog, organ;
• MARTA PTASZYNSKA [born 1943]; text by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin –University Singers, James Kallembach, conductor; Thomas Weisflog, organ
,
• Printable program listings

Music played in the program

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.