August 2012 Lesson

Yesterday morning I met Michael for a lesson at Trinity Episcopal Church. My previous lesson was over 2 months ago, so it felt great to be seated at the console of a well cared for pipe organ again. The sound from this instrument makes me feel alive and joyful.

Overall, this lesson went very well. I still have tempo issues to resolve but my practice time while using the metronome has paid off as I showed some improvement. Also, after many months of practice, Michael approved my performance of the Andante movement of Mendelssohn's Sonata No. 6. I am not able to play it perfectly each time just yet, but well enough that I no longer need to focus on it during my practice time. If you would like to hear what this piece sounds like check out Hans-André Stamm video on YouTube. I do not feel confident enough to play it for an audience yet.


At the end of my lesson I take a picture of the nave from the balcony. This is the first church I have been in that uses chairs instead of pews.

Summer Recital Series - August 6, 2012

Last night I attended the first organ recital presented by the Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Guild of Organists as part of their Summer Recital Series. Each Monday in August at 7:00 PM the organ recital is at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ann Arbor. The history of the pipe organ and the stop list can be viewed here on their website.

The organist was Naki Sung Kripfgans and it was delightful to hear Naki play again. I first heard her play during the Lenten Recital Series earlier this year.

Naki performed six pieces for an audience of over 200. In addition to the program, there was a handout that described the pieces. In between pieces, Naki addressed the audience providing information on the piece or a personal story, relating well to the crowd. After a standing ovation, Naki performed a seventh piece.

The most surprising piece on the program was Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Takeshi Kondo as this is my first recital to hear a children's song. According to the program notes, the piece was commissioned by the Yokohma Minaot-Mirai Hall in Japan in 2003. The piece was designed so that each variation uses a different family of organ pipes. When the piece was performed the listeners could easily hear when registration was changed.

I am looking forward to next week's recital which will feature organist for the studio of James Kibbie.

Pipe Organ at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church