Paul Jacobs, chairman of The Juilliard School’s organ department since 2004, opens Juilliard’s 2009-10 concert season with a rare performance of all six J.S. Bach Trio Sonatas BWV 525-530, considered some of the most difficult works ever written for the organ. Jacobs plays the free concert on Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. on Paul Hall’s Holtkamp pipe organ. This is the first organ concert in over 20 years to be performed by a faculty member in Paul Hall.
According to Bach biographer J.N. Forkel, J. S. Bach wrote the trio sonatas during his most mature period as instructional pieces for his eldest son Wilhelm Friedmann, who later became a great organist. These sonatas, which were written for organ or pedal harpsichord (a practice instrument for organists), require the right and left hands to play melodic lines independently on separate keyboards, while the feet play the "basso continuo.”
J.S. Bach did not indicate registrations for the vast majority of his works, including the Trio Sonatas, so interpretations of these works have been debated by organists and vary widely, said Mr. Jacobs, who is well known for his individualist readings of the organ literature.
"Although these organ sonatas pose ferocious interpretive and technical demands on the player,” comments Paul Jacobs, “they are disarmingly attractive and immediately appealing to listeners.
Admission for Mr. Jacobs’s September 15 performance in Paul Hall is free, but tickets are required. For tickets, call 212-769-7406 or visit www.juilliard.edu
Paul Jacobs has long been identified with the music of J.S. Bach, having performed Bach’s entire organ output (some 200 works) several times, including an 18-hour marathon in 2000 on the 250th anniversary of the death of the composer. Known for reinvigorating the American organ scene with a fresh performance style, Mr. Jacobs’s repertoire ranges from the 16th century to contemporary times, and he performs some 40 concerts a year. Last season he gave the modern-day premiere of an unpublished prelude and fugue by Samuel Barber and the world premiere of a work by Christopher Theofanidis commissioned for him by the Pacific Symphony. He was presented by the San Francisco Symphony both in concert and in recital, and recorded the Messiaen masterwork, Livre du Saint Sacrement, which is scheduled for release by Naxos in 2010.
At Juilliard Mr. Jacobs has revitalized the organ department and has become the leader of a new generation of organists. Applications to the department have increased, and in 2007 he was awarded the William Schuman Scholars Chair, which is presented annually to an artist and educator who has made significant contributions both to the intellectual and artistic life of the Juilliard community. In order to create more awareness for the organ in New York City, three years ago Mr. Jacobs opened up his Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. organ classes in Paul Hall to the public. The free organ classes have developed a regular following and will continue this season beginning on September 17. No tickets or reservations are required.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Paul Hall, The Juilliard School
155 West 65th Street
Admission for Mr. Jacobs’s September 15 performance in Paul Hall is free, but tickets are required. For tickets, call 212-769-7406 or visit www.juilliard.edu.
