WORCESTER, Mass. – Organist James David Christie will perform the first of eight concerts commemorating the 300th anniversary of the death of the great 17th-century North German organist-composer Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707). As part of the Holy Cross Chapel Artists Series, “The Buxtehude Tercentenary at Holy Cross” will be performed on the late 17th-century North German inspired Taylor & Boody organ throughout the 2006-2007 concert season.
The concert, free and open to the public, will be on Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. in the College’s Saint Joseph Memorial Chapel. The chapel is handicapped accessible.
Christie is the distinguished artist in residence and College organist at Holy Cross. In addition, he serves as organist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was the first American to ever win a first prize at the Bruges (Belgium) International Organ Competition and was the first person in the history of the competition to ever win both the Prize of the Jury and the Prize of the Audience. Professor Christie has served on more international organ competition juries than any American organist. He has toured the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia giving concerts, master classes and seminars at major music festivals. He has recorded for 12 different labels and is heard regularly on radio broadcasts in the United States, Canada and Europe.
The program follows:
Praeludium in C, BuxWV 138
Canzona in C, BuxWV 166
Nun lob, mein, Seel, den Herren, BuxWV 214
Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott (4 verses), BuxWV 207
Passacaglia in d, BuxWV 161
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BuxWV 224
Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, BuxWV 222
Canzona in d, BuxWV 168
Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn, BuxWV 195
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BuxWV 196
Toccata in F, BuxWV 156