October 30 Organist: Chris Ganza
Program:
Toccata
and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565, J.S. Bach
“Vivace,”
from Trio Sonata No. 6 in G Major, BWV 530, J.S. Bach
“Adagio,”
and “Allegro Maestoso e Vivace,” from Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 65, Felix
Mendelssohn
“Clair de lune,”
and “Toccata," from 24 Pièces de Fantasie, Op. 53, Louis Vierne
Chris Ganza is the Choir Director
and Organist, as well as the Artistic Director of the Cathedral Concert Series
at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. There he directs the adult choir, assists in
the Cathedral's chorister training program, serves as organist for various sung
liturgies, and manages the scheduling and details of the Cathedral's concert
series.
Chris earned the Bachelor of Music degree
in Church Music from Saint Olaf College, studying organ performance and
improvisation with John Ferguson and Catherine Rodland, and conducting with
Anton Armstrong, Christopher Aspaas, Timothy Mahr, and Steven Amundson. He
earned the Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of
Oklahoma, studying organ performance and improvisation with John Schwandt and
Damin Spritzer, and studying conducting with Richard Zielinski. He has been the
recipient of first place in various competitions, including the Paul Manz
Scholarship Competition, the John R. Rodland Memorial Scholarship Competition,
the Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition, and the University of Michigan Organ
Improvisation Competition.
Chris's study of the organ began at the age
of nine, under the tutelage of Ray Cornils, Municipal Organist Emeritus of the
City of Portland, Maine. In addition to parishes in his home state of Maine, he
has served parishes in Saint Paul, Oklahoma City, and Minneapolis. He was the
first organ scholar at the Church of Saint Louis, King of France in Saint Paul,
the Director of Music and Organist and Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the Organist and Choirmaster at Our Lady of
Lourdes Catholic Church in Minneapolis. In addition to his work at the
Cathedral, Chris maintains a solo concert schedule, and is the Director of
Choral Music at Saint Agnes School in Saint Paul, where he directs an acclaimed
choral program for students in grades 5-12.
At St. Olaf, we are blessed to have a magnificent 67-rank pipe organ. This fall, it will be showcased in a series of recitals on Wednesday afternoons, immediately following the noon Mass.
Come hear the organ thunder with might and whisper gently as talented organists showcase a variety of repertoire.
Wednesday Organ Recitals run from September 18 through December 4, and will be approx. 30-40 minutes long.
Freewill donation.
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