Marks organ recital includes Nebraska premiere of Knecht piece

Christopher Marks
Christopher Marks

The Christopher Marks recital on Thursday, January 19 in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Glenn Korff School of Music’s Kimball Recital Hall features music for organ and other instruments, with Christopher Marks collaborating with faculty colleagues from the Glenn Korff School of Music, including John Bailey on flute, Jeff McCray on bassoon, Greg Beaver on cello, Rebecca Fischer on violin, and Dave Hall on percussion.

The final piece on the program is the Nebraska premiere of a piece by UNL alumnus Kurt Knecht for organ and percussion. This new piece was commissioned by the Organ Historical Society in commemoration of its 60th anniversary and was premiered by Marks and Hall in Philadelphia in June 2016. The title, “Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue” is inspired by an unusual piece by the same name by J. S. Bach, with which Marks will open the program.

Marks, associate professor of organ and associate dean of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, is consistently praised by reviewers for “style and assurance” and “musicality [that] seems to flow effortlessly.” With his series of recordings of music by Seth Bingham and his many performances on historic American instruments, he has gained a reputation as an expert in American organ music old and new.

The performance is free and open to the public. There will also be a live Webcast. Visit music.unl.edu for the direct link the night of the performance.