Music in a Great Space continues its 26th concert season, featuring John Walker in a concert co-sponsored by the Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh and the American Guild of Organists (AGO) on Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m.
The American Guild of Organists has selected internationally acclaimed organist and teacher John Walker as the honoree for the 2019 AGO Endowment Fund Distinguished Artist Award Recital and Gala Benefit Reception on Friday, April 26. The celebration begins with a free recital by Dr. Walker at Shadyside Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m.
The program will feature music tracing the path from Palm Sunday through Holy Week and Eastertide, including Guilmant’s March on Handel’s “Lift Up Your Heads”; Virgil Fox’s transcription of Bach’s Come, Sweet Death; and John Knowles Paine’s virtuosic Concert Variations on Old Hundredth; along with other selections.
This recital also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the inaugural recital on Shadyside’s four-manual 106-rank Reuter organ. John Weaver’s Sine nomine, which the composer premiered on this organ in 1994 at the inaugural recital, will be a featured composition. (No tickets are necessary for admission to the recital.)
The Gala Reception (advance tickets required) benefitting the AGO Endowment Fund will follow the recital at Mansions on Fifth, located just a few steps from the church.
All proceeds from the 2019 Gala will honor John Walker in perpetuity. Annual earnings from the AGO Endowment support educational programs and outreach.
To purchase Gala Benefit Reception tickets or make a contribution in honor of John Walker, visit agohq.org/2019-gala or phone 212/870-2311, ext. 4308.
John Walker is Immediate Past President of the American Guild of Organists. Following an earlier distinguished tenure at the Riverside Church in the City of New York, Dr. Walker served as Minister of Music at Shadyside Presbyterian Church from 1992 to 2004. He is Minister of Music Emeritus at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore and Professor of Organ at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.
For information: 412/682-4300; www.shadysidepres.org
(photo credit: Nadine Photography)
