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Berkshire Bach announces Organ recitals on Historic Organs, February 8 and April 5



Great Barrington, January 16, 2025:  The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) announces two organ recitals on historic organs in Housatonic and Great Barrington as part of its Organ Masters series.  The recitals take place on February 8, 2pm, at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic and on April 5, 4pm, at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington with master organists Renée Anne Louprette and Peter Sykes. 

 

“Our Organ Masters series gives us the chance to showcase great organ music, two superb organists, and two important instruments in our region that are true cultural treasures,” said Terrill McDade, Executive Director of the Berkshire Bach Society.  “The 1893 Johnson Organ at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic is the hidden gem of the Berkshires, and the 1883 great Roosevelt organ at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington has pride of place among large historic organs in America.  Bach was the pre-eminent organist of his time and hearing his music on instruments that are largely in their original condition and fundamentally similar to organs he would recognize, links us to an earlier era and gives us all a unique musical experience.”

 

On February 8, Renée Anne Louprette presents the Best of Bach—The Great Organ Works with familiar pieces that range from the iconic Toccata in D minor, BWV 565, to transcriptions from the cantatas, including Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Sheep may safely graze, and Sleepers awake.  The program provides an opportunity to hear well-known pieces played on the sweet-voiced and musical Johnson organ that helps us hear their beauty and power anew.  

 

Renée Anne Louprette is Assistant Professor of Music and College Organist at Bard College where she directs the Bard Baroque Ensemble. She has performed on important organs throughout the world and in 2022-2023 received a Fulbright research grant to document the restoration of historic organs in Romania.  She is joined in her program for Berkshire Bach by distinguished Bach scholar George B. Stauffer, who provides commentary and discusses the life and times of J.S. Bach. 

 

On April 5, Peter Sykes returns to play the great Roosevelt Organ in a mixed program of music by Bach and others.  An organ beloved by many, the Roosevelt was the most important organ in America at installation in 1883 and is the largest instrument by innovative organ builder Hilborne Roosevelt that survives in close to its original condition. Cousin to presidents Teddy and Franklin, Hilborne Roosevelt established Roosevelt Pipe Organ Builders in 1870 and built many of the largest organs in America in the period.  He introduced electricity into the workings of his instruments and coincidentally contributed to aspects of the early telephone, including inventing the automatic switch hook. His Great Barrington organ remains a sophisticated and expressive example of his craft that, in the hands of master organist Peter Sykes, inspires awe and can literally shake the rafters--figuratively and literally--with its beauty, majesty, and power.

 

Join Berkshire Bach for The Organ Masters at 2pm on Saturday, February 8 at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic and 4pm on Saturday, April 5 at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington.  Tickets: $45 Nonmembers | $40 Berkshire Bach Members | $85 Two-concert package | $10 Card to Culture.  Children and Students with valid ID are admitted free. Visit www.berkshirebach.org/events for more information, including tickets and specific venue information.  

The Berkshire Bach Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the U.S. tax code and the oldest, continuously operating, membership-based music organization in the Berkshires.  Donations to the Society are deductible to the full extent of the law. 

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