Associate Professor of Organ Christopher Marks will perform the music of Johann Sebastian Bach on five different keyboard instruments during his faculty recital 3 p.m. Jan. 13 in Kimball Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Marks will playing five different keyboard instruments during the performance: harpsichord, a modern Steinway piano, a clavichord (built in a historical style similar to what Bach would have played on in the 18th century), a small continuo pipe organ built by Bedient Pipe Organ Builders of Lincoln, and the large organ in Kimball Hall.
“It’s unusual to hear such a wide range of instruments played by one performer in a single recital setting,” Marks said. “The variety of instruments will help bring out the richly varied styles of Bach’s keyboard music in a way that is not often heard in performance.”
In addition, the audience will be seated on the stage of Kimball Hall to better hear the quieter instruments, such as the clavichord, and to provide a more intimate performance setting.
The program includes Partita No. 2 in C Minor on the harpsichord; three preludes and fugues from the Well Tempered Clavier on piano; a fourth prelude and fugue on the clavichord; three settings of the chorale “Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr” on the Bedient positive organ; and Sonata No. 2 in C minor and Prelude and Fugue in C major (BWV 547) on the large organ.
Marks has been hailed for his “style and assurance” in performance and is gaining a reputation for creative and friendly programming. His interest and skill with historic American instruments has led to four appearances at conventions of the Organ Historical Society. He also currently serves on the National Council of the Organ Historical Society.
Marks has been at UNL since 2006, where he teaches organ, music theory and performance practice. He previously taught organ and served as University Organist at Syracuse University.
He received his bachelor of music in piano from the University of Richmond, master of music degrees in piano and organ from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/zw5