“Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence.”
― Johannes Sebastian Bach
My head is still ringing from the amazing sound of the organ Saturday evening. Not just my head but my heart too. Resounding praise that literally rumbled my bones. Hearing is kinetic, through the vibrations of tiny bones inside the middle ear; listening to organ music is kinetic too, only it is just about every bone in the entire body that carries the sound.
This was part two of the weekend’s Tarboro Music Festival. I honestly do not know why the place was not standing room only. Seriously; if you live within 25 miles of Tarboro and you were not there for the organ recital, then I can promise that (for probably 90% of you) what you did instead was a distant second choice!
A rare privilege:
Most people have no idea how much of an endangered species professional pipe-organ musicians are. Yet the instrument – when played at this level – is one of the most remarkable and magnificent ever invented.
And here, in the sanctuary of Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church on the 1913 Austin Organ (Opus 473), five virtuoso organists played some of the most complex and powerful of Bach’s works. It was a rare opportunity to be completely blown away, saturated in sound via a torrent – an avalanche – of music.
I am reminded of a special event Rebekah organized back at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, a weekend featuring inspirational speakers. A good number of people attended, but not nearly as many as we had invited. Later, in response to the glowing reports and enthusiasm of those who were there, several people told Rebekah, “If I had know it was going to be any good I would have come.”
Incredulous, she responded, “Why do you think I would invite you to something that wasn’t excellent, inspirational and absolutely worth your time?”
You may want to write this down: We do not do mediocre!
Of course this organ recital was brilliant and magical! It was an evening soaked in prayers and praise as composed by one of the greatest musicians of all time! And we had a line up of organists worthy of Bach.
- Daniel Sansone of First Presbyterian Church, New Bern
- William Hilderbrandt of Howard Memorial Presbyterian, Tarboro
- Jacqueline Farrell of Christ Episcopal in New Bern
- Josh Dumbleton of Calvary Episcopal, Tarboro
- David Baskeyfield of Saint Paul’s Episcopal, Greenville
I am sharing two videos. One, a short selection to give a taste. Then (after the photo gallery) Bach’s entire Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, over 17 minutes (worth it if you want the full effect! Also, I had no idea it was going to be that long… not easy to hold the camera steady!).
Enjoy. And if you want to enjoy some great organ music, I will see you in church later this morning! – DEREK
Thanks for the great videos! I was wondering where the organ console was 😊
Hidden behind the curtain… our organist love it!
Years ago when we would drive home from Georgia to Virginia after visiting family, sometimes we would hop off the Interstate in Wilson for some delicious barbeque at Parkers. Then we would take to backroads the rest of the way to enjoy a more scenic route. We drove through Tarboro on a number of occasions and I always thought it would be not be a very exciting place to live. Now you are showing me how very wrong I was!
Thanks! Of course, one gift Rebekah and I always give to a community is to love it. Once that choice has been made it is easier to appreciate what makes it unique. But, yes, Tarboro is very special and likely unusual among communities this size.