By Janelle Gelfand
Enquirer staff writer
When members of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church dedicated their $600,000 French symphonic organ in 1990, they hoped to eventually bring international artists to showcase the instrument.
It took 14 years, but a new organ series will make its debut on Oct. 31 with prominent French organist Pierre Pincemaille, famed for his astounding improvisations. (He will likely improvise on themes suggested by the audience.) A Feb. 20 recital will feature the church's own prize-winning resident organist, Sonia Kim, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
The series concludes April 17 with Paul Jacobs, a 27-year-old organ phenom who came to national attention in 2000, when he twice performed the complete organ works of J.S. Bach in 14 consecutive evenings in New York and Philadelphia.
The three-concert series will be free. Organizers hope to raise its $10,000 cost through private donations.
"We think it's pretty unique," says church member Barry Evans. "Hear it once, and you may fall in love with it."
The organ, a French-built Casavant, reproduces the sounds of a whole symphony orchestra. The largest "French romantic" organ in the region, it was built to mirror instruments created by renowned organ builder Cavaille-Coll more than a century ago. The instrument has 4,843 pipes, 62 stops and 88 ranks in two divisions - in the front and back of the church - for a surround sound.
"What you'll hear is a bright sound, but it's capable of lush strings and soft flutes, all the way up to the trumpets and double reeds," says director of music Neal Hamlin. "People have no concept of what you can do with this marvelous musical palette."
The organ was tailored to the acoustics of the church, for optimal sound. For family members of all ages, it's a rare chance to hear a spectacular instrument.
"So many churches are pulling out organs and putting in video screens," Hamlin says. "These instruments are really something worth hearing."
If you go
Classical Organ Music Series, Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, 1345 Grace Ave., Hyde Park.
