Weston Sound records the Kimmel Center’s Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Inaugural Festival!

 

 

 

 

 

On Sunday, May 14th,

David Hayes conducted

The Philadelphia Singers,

The Mannes College of Music Orchestra,

and Michael Stairs, organist, in a breathtaking performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.

Opus 76, the latest creation of the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, LTD, officially debuted in a 15 day festival, May 11th-25th, in Verizon Hall.

The Kimmel Center’s Mervon Mehta welcomes the sold-out audience.

The Philadelphia Singers with Mannes College of Music, David Hayes conducting in rehearsal and performance on Sunday, May 14th

Soloists:

Risa Renae Harman, soprano; Meredith Arwady, contralto; Thomas Studebaker, tenor; Richard Zuch, bass-baritone

 

Concertmaster:

Dimiter Tchernookov

 

Organist: Michael Stairs

The five hour marathon recital on May 13th featured electrifying performances by Marvin Mills,

Allen Morrison, Cameron Carpenter,

Diane Meredith Belcher,

and

Gordon Turk.

Excerpts from the marathon will air on WHYY and NPR in upcoming broadcasts, while the Philadelphia Singers/Mannes College performance airs on WRTI 90.1 FM on Sunday, May 28th.

At the cello-shaped stage console, Gordon Turk brings down the house with Bach’s

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

(click to enlarge)

Marvin Mills,

the marathon’s first performer

Dobson’s technicians make adjustments throughout the festival as Opus 76 comes to life.

The organ can be played at either console, simultaneously or independently.