Epiphany Seattle: Organ Vespers
Free
- Wyatt Smith, organ
Johann Sebastian Bach — Weinen, Klangen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12 (trans. Marilyn Beiry)
Samuel Scheidt — Magnificat secundi toni, SSWV 141 (from Tabulatura Nova)
Led by organist and cantor, Organ Vespers takes place in Epiphany's Chapel, featuring music for solo organ based around a hymn or a theme for the day, utilizing the 2016 organ built by Martin Pasi. These services also draw on the rich history of organ repertoire based on the Magnificat, alternating the cantor and organist, in addition to the rich tradition of hymnody. Join us for this unique liturgical offering in the worship life of Epiphany Seattle.
The music for this Organ Vespers is based on the Lutheran hymn "Jesus, Priceless Treasure", drawing on readings for the day. Works by Johann Gottfried Walther and Johann Sebastian Bach treat this melody in different ways. Walther presents variations on this melody, whereas Bach’s setting comes by way of his cantata Weinen, Klangen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12, transcribed to the organ by Marilyn Beiry. The Magnificat cycle used in this service, sung between cantor and organ, is by Samuel Scheidt, who composed a total of nine such cycles.
About Music at Epiphany
Epiphany Seattle is fortunate to have an outstanding choir, a strong music staff, beautiful instruments, and wonderful spaces in which to make music. Music is a core strength of Epiphany, and we strive to uphold a standard of excellence in all of our musical offerings – both in terms of repertoire and performance. Our Music at Epiphany board was created to uphold that excellence, provide vision for the music program, and to sponsor world class concerts for our community. We hope that you will learn more about our musical life, and join us for a choral service or concert.
https://epiphanyseattle.org/about-our-music/About Wyatt Smith, organ
American concert organist Wyatt Smith, a native of Rapid City, South Dakota, performs with "nuance, polish, and personality" (Michael Barone, APM Pipedreams). He maintains an active concert schedule, performing throughout the United States and Europe, and his performances have been heard on American Public Media's Pipedreams.
Smith received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance from the University of Washington; his Master of Music degree from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Dakota. His primary mentors include Dr. Carole Terry, Dr. Martin Jean, and Dr. Larry Schou. Wyatt has served as the Affiliate Artist in Organ & Harpsichord at the University of Puget Sound since 2018. He is also on the faculty of the Epiphany Music Academy, which he founded in 2019. He enjoys teaching students of all ages.
https://www.wyattsmithorganist.com/