If you are an organist, you know this is a famous work in C major by Johann Sebastian Bach. However it is also the title of the stunning work for organ and percussion which was premiered on Monday night by composer Kurt Knecht. This fabulous work was commissioned by the Organ Historical Society in celebration of its 60th anniversary, and was performed by Christopher Marks, organ and Dave Hall, percussion at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
I am happy to report that the composer posted YouTube videos of this work which you can view below.
From his website, here is Kurt’s bio:
Kurt Knecht is a composer, organist, and conductor currently living in Lincoln, Nebraska. His compositions have been described as “funky” and “joyous” in the Washington Post, and the American Record Guide has called him a “fresh voice.” His compositions have become a staple of the modern choral festival literature and have been performed at festivals and concerts in over 37 states. Performances of his compositions include international performances at festivals and concerts in Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Cuba, New Zealand, and a performance at the Kennedy Center by the Grammy Award winning Washington Chorale. Upcoming performances of his compositions include the World Choir Symposium in Seoul, Korea, the International Clarinet Society Conference, and the National Conference of the Organ Historical Society.
He is regularly commissioned and publishes with Walton, Pavane, and Colla Voce. He has received the ASCAP Plus award (2008-2013) from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. His composition Missa Prolationem was awarded the Folsom Prize for the most outstanding dissertation of the University of Nebraska in 2009. As an eclectic performer, Kurt has been a featured soloist with groups ranging from Smokey Robinson to The Florida Orchestra. Kurt regularly appears as a concert organist and collaborative pianist. He also performs in the improvisation duo Mondegreen with violist Jonah Sirota of the Chiara Quartet. He is the music director at St. Mark’s on the Campus in Lincoln, NE. He received the Bachelor of Music from the University of Tampa with concentrations in Piano Performance and Theory, the Master of Music in Composition from Southern Methodist University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition with a minor in Organ Performance from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Well done, Kurt!