Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@cincymuseum opened its much-loved Music in the Museum organ recital series for the first time in nearly a decade with a vibrant, scintillating and thrilling program by Canadian recitalist Isabelle Demers, professor of organ at McGill University (@mcgillu) in Montréal, Quebec. Her selections displayed a wide range of styles, drawing from film scores by John Williams, French Romantic masterworks and contemporary works by composers Joaquin Rodrigo and the late Rachel Laurin. Highlights included the opening fanfare from John Williams score for Star Wars, the finale of Louis Vierne’s Symphony No. 1 and an exhilarating transcription of Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. Soprano saxophone soloist Rick VanMatre was equally thrilling in the spotlight playing John Williams’ Cantina Theme and an adaptation of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.
Demers used every available sound on the Museum Center’s 1929 E.M. Skinner Symphonic Organ to the fullest, especially its lush strings, bright, cheery flutes and powerful Trumpet and Tuba ranks in its Swell and Solo divisions.
Incorporating pipes and other components from three different Skinner organs (including one built for the mansion of the industrialist Powell Crosley), this instrument has been lovingly cared for by Harley Piltingsrud since 1986. I eagerly anticipate future concerts in this series and this sounds of this magnificent instrument reaching a wider audience.
Music in the Museum continues January 24, 2024 with organist Nathan Laube and Christopher Pell, principal clarinet of @cincysymphony.