Organ recital commemorating our own Hook and Hastings organ (built in 1881 and relocated to Craigville in 1961).

The recital is designed to give a “snapshot” of the extraordinary diversity of music written for the pipe organ. After opening with a 20th century American work perfect for a festive celebration like Craigville’s 150th – Conrad Susa’s March for a Joyous Occasion – we turn 150 years before the village founding with a pair of contrasting pieces – an English “voluntary” by John Stanley, and a monumental fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach. Belgian composer Joseph Jongen returns us to the 20th century with a beautiful work both romantic and impressionistic in style – perfect for a summer evening! The religious foundation of the village comes through in a set of preludes based on three well-loved hymns and spirituals. John Knowles Paine’s Concert Variations on the Star-Spangled Banner conclude the recital. Paine is one of America’s first widely-recognized composers. The Variations were composed in 1861, the same year he joined the faculty at Harvard.

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