A Before Bach’s Birthday Bash
March 16, 2013
In Celebration of the Incomparable
Johann Sebastian Bach, born March 21, 1685
presented in cooperation with
Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Minnesota Public Radio
American Public Media’s Pipedreams
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Program One – 9:00 a.m. (LIVE MPR Broadcast)
Chapel of the Incarnation, Luther Seminary (1490 Fulham Street, Saint Paul) (A)
1985 Holtkamp (3 manuals, 46 ranks, 35 stops, mechanical action)
BACH: Prelude in C, BWV 547 –Henry Lebedinsky, organ
BACH: Orgelbüchlein Chorale-preludes (Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn, BWV 601; In dulci jubilo, BWV 608;
Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614; Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf, BWV 617; Christ ist erstanden, BWV 627)
–Catherine Rodland, organ
BACH: Overture, fr Keyboard Partita No. 4 in D, BWV 828
–Bethel Balge, piano (student of Lydia Artymiw at the University of MN)
BACH: Mass in B-minor, BWV 232, selections (Kyrie II – Credo in unum Deum – Dona nobis pacem)
–National Lutheran Choir and Ensemble/David Cherwien, conductor
BACH: Orgelbüchlein Chorale-preludes (Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig, BWV 644; Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar,
BWV 607; Hilf Gott, dass mir’s gelinge, BWV 624; Wenn wir in höchesten Nöten sein, BWV 641; Wir danken dir, Herr
Jesu Christ, BWV 623) –John Stender, organ
BACH: Fugue in C, BWV 547 –Henry Lebedinsky, organ
Program Two – 10:30 a.m.
Chapel of the Cross, Luther Seminary (Northwestern Building, 1501 Fulham Street, Saint Paul) (A)
1966 Casavant (2 manuals, 22 ranks, 16 stops, electro-pneumatic action)
BACH: Prelude & Fugue in f, BWV 534 –Phillip Radtke, organ (student of Dean Billmeyer at the University of MN)
BACH: Chorale-prelude, Wir glauben all an einen Gott, Vater, BWV 740 –Eric Bigalke, organist (student of Dean Billmeyer)
BACH: Fantasy in c, BWV 562 –Donald Livingston, organ
BACH: Partita No. 4 in D, BWV 838 (Allemande – Courante – Aria – Sarabande – Menuet – Gigue)
–Bethel Balge, piano (student of Lydia Artymiw)
BACH: 2 Preludes from the Leipzig Chorales (Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654; Fantasia super ‘Komm, heiliger Geist,
Herre Gott’, BWV 651) –Joseph Henry, organ
11:30AM-to-1PM - LUNCH BREAK (lunch and transport between venues is your individual responsibility)
Program Three – 1:00 p.m.
Como Park Lutheran Church (1376 Hoyt Avenue West, Saint Paul) (B)
1989 Casavant (2 manuals, 21 ranks, 17 stops, mechanical action)
BACH: Fantasy in c, BWV 537 –Michael Barone, organ
BACH: Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564 –Aaron Hirsch, organist (student of Dean Billmeyer at the University of MN)
BACH: Chorale-prelude, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 –Michael Barone, organ
BACH: Chorale-prelude, Ein feste Burg, BWV 720 –Andrew Birling, organ
BACH: Canzona in d, BWV 588 –Sharon Kleckner, organ
BACH: Cantata, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51 (Aria – Recitative – Alleluia)
–Natasha Cramer, soprano; Benjamin Alle, trumpet; Kevin Kuryluk Pisel, organ
Program Four – 2:30 p.m.
Roseville Lutheran Church (1215 Roselawn Avenue West, Roseville) (C)
1978 Möller (3 manuals, 22 ranks, 34 stops, electro-pneumatic action)
BACH: Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 550 –Julie Kim, organist (student of Dean Billmeyer)
BACH: Solo Cello Suite No. 6 in D, BWV 1012 (Prelude – Allemande - Gigue)
–Nathaniel Yaffe, cello (student of Tanya Remenikova)
BACH: Fugue in g, BWV 578 –Tony Ouradnik, organ (student of Chad Winterfeldt)
BACH: Orgelbüchlein Chorale-prelude, O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde gross, BWV 622
–Michael Asmus, organ (student of Chad Winterfeldt)
BACH: Trio, Allein Gott in der Höh, BWV 664 –Chad Winterfeldt, organ
BACH: Prelude & Fugue in G, BWV 541 –David Lim, organ (student of Chad Winterfeldt)
Program Five – 4 p.m.
Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Roseville (1660 County Highway 46, Roseville) (D)
1987 Van Daalen (2 manuals, 38 ranks, 25 stops, mechanical action)
JOHANN LUDWIG KREBS: Prelude and Fugue in C –David Fienen, organ
BACH (trans. Busoni): Chaconne in d, BWV 1004 –Pei Lei Lin, piano (student of Lydia Artymiw)
BACH (trans. Allan Mahnke): Keyboard Concerto in A, BWV 1055 (Allegro – Larghetto – Allegro ma non tanto)
–Mary Newton and Laura Edman, organists
BACH: 3 Schübler Chorales (Wer nur den lieben Gott, BWV 647; Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn, BWV 648;
Kommst du nun, Jesu, BWV 650) –Nils Halker, organ
BACH: Piece d’orgue (Fantasy in G), BWV 572 –John Stender, organ
PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES:
Benjamin Alle studies with David Baldwin at the University
of Minnesota, pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet
Performance degree as a Berneking Fellow. He is an active
member of the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble at
the University, as well as the Compass Rose Brass Ensemble,
and has performed with the Edina Chorale, and the Kenwood
and Mankato Symphony Orchestras.
Michael Asmus is a senior Organ Performance major at
Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, a member of the
Sioux Trails AGO chapter, and currently serving as the
chapter’s sub-dean and program chair.
Bethel Balge is a doctoral student at the University of
Minnesota, studying piano with Lydia Artymiw. Balge holds
degrees from Michigan State University, the University of
Wisconsin, and the Musikhochschule of the University of
Frankfurt, Germany. She teaches as an adjunct instructor at
Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato and at Martin Luther
College in New Ulm, and performs regularly in Bethany's
Chamber Music Series.
Michael Barone has been a presence on the local public radio
scene since 1968 and producer/host of MPR/American Public
Media's PIPEDREAMS program for more than 30 years.
Eric Bigalke, who studied music since childhood, majored in
Languages and Cultures of Asia at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, and in Varanasi, India, though
subsequently earned degrees in piano. He worked
professionally in Seoul (Korea), Colorado Springs, and most
recently as Director of Music-Organist at First United
Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Illinois. He has appeared as
pianist, organist, baritone, and conductor throughout the
United States, China, Korea, and Japan, and is currently
studying toward the DMA degree in organ at the University of
Minnesota.
Andrew Birling is Director of Music Ministries at St. Luke's
Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. He is currently pursuing a
Master's Degree in Sacred Music from Luther Seminary and
studies with James Bobb of St. Olaf College.
David Cherwien is Cantor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church
and Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir and is in
demand as guest organist/conductor nationally, particularly
planning and leading hymn festivals in the fashion of his
predecessor at Mount Olive, Paul Manz. He is a published
composer of church music, and has had training at Augsburg
College, the University of Minnesota, Aix en Provence,
France, and the Berlin Church Music School.
A North Dakota native, Natasha Cramer studied voice at the
University of Minnesota Duluth for 2 years and German at the
Universität Lueneburg in Germany for a semester before
moving to the Twin Cities to marry and obtain an AS degree
at Dunwoody and employment in auto mechanics. She
regularly cantors for the Basilica of St. Mary, St. Bridget
Community and St. Raphael Parish for weekend, holiday and
funeral Masses, performs with Opera On Tap at the Honey Bar
and studies with Jim Buxton.
Laura Edman is the organist at First Presbyterian Church in
Stillwater, MN and instructor of organ at the University of
Wisconsin - River Falls. She recently received a DMA in
organ performance at the University of Minnesota where she
studied with Dean Billmeyer. Laura currently serves as Dean
of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of
Organists.
David Fienen, Emeritus Professor, recently retired from
Gustavus Adolphus College after serving as Cantor at Christ
Chapel, Chair of the Music Department, and for two years,
Provost and Dean of the College. He has performed
internationally with the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, edited and
published five volumes of organ works of Jan Bender, and
remains active as an organist, pianist, harpsichordist, and
handbell musician. He also serves as Volunteer Archivist for
First Lutheran Church in St. Peter.
Nils Halker is organist at Saint Clement's Episcopal Church
in Saint Paul. He studied with Howard Don Small at Saint
Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis; William Kuhlman at Luther
College; Dean Billmeyer at the University of Minnesota; and
Mark Venning at the University of Durham, England. Nils is
also a Professional Development Specialist at the Science
Museum of Minnesota.
Joseph Henry is director of liturgy and music for St. Joseph
Church in Waconia. He has a DMA in vocal accompanying
from The Manhattan School of Music, and a DMA in organ
from the University of Minnesota. He is a chaplain’s assistant
for the U. S. Army Reserve and is a returned Peace Corps
Volunteer (Romania 1998-2000).
Aaron Hirsch will graduate from the University of Minnesota
this May with a Bachelors in Organ. Teachers include Dean
Billmeyer at the University and Jürgen Essl at the Musik
Hochschule in Stuttgart, Germany. Mr. Hirsch hopes to pursue
a Masters in orchestral conducting.
Julie Kim from Seoul, Korea, studied church music and organ
at the Seoul Theological University. Upon graduation
she was chosen to perform at the 2006 Kyungdong Organist
Recital as a school representative. Julie earned her MM degree
in piano at the University of North Dakota, and she is
currently studying for a DMA degree in organ at the
University of Minnesota.
Sharon Kleckner studied organ with Garth Peacock at the
Oberlin Conservatory and Arthur Poister at Syracuse
University. She holds a DVM degree from the University of
Minnesota, practiced veterinary medicine, and owned and
operated a cat clinic in St. Paul. Her recent work is as a
certified hospice and palliative nurse. She is Sub-dean of the
Twin Cities AGO chapter and chair of its Program Committee.
Henry Lebedinsky has performed on harpsichord, clavichord,
and organ across the United States and the United Kingdom,
and also maintains an active career as a Celtic traditional
guitarist and bouzouki player. He currently serves as Music
Minister at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in
White Bear Lake, where he also directs the Water Music
Concert Series.
David Lim is a sophomore Chemistry and Music Performance
double major at Gustavus Adolphus College. He is a member
of the Twin Cities and Sioux Trails AGO chapters, and
currently serves as organ scholar at First Lutheran Church in
Saint Peter, where he assists Dr. Chad Winterfeldt.
Pei-Lei Lin, born in Taipei, Taiwan, began piano studies at
five, won first prize in the 1999, 2003, and 2005 Taipei City
Competitions, and earned her BM degree at National Taiwan
Normal University in 2010. As recipient of a George Lucas
Fellowship, in 2012 she completed her MM in Piano at the
University of Texas-Austin, studying with Nancy Garrett. In
2012, Ms. Lin won a Ude Piano Fellowship at the University
of Minnesota and began Doctoral studies with Lydia Artymiw.
She received the Suji Lee Scholarship Award from the
Taiwanese Association of America, Minnesota Chapter.
Donald Livingston studied organ with Larry Smith at the
Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. He has served as
organist at Hennepin Methodist Church and Lutheran Church
of the Good Shepherd of Minneapolis, and is currently
organist at Immanuel Lutheran in St. Paul.
Mary Newton is organist at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in
Plymouth. She serves on the Executive Board of the Twin
Cities AGO Chapter and as Coordinator for the annual
TCAGO Student Scholarship Competition. She earned a
DMA from the University of Minnesota.
Anthony Ouradnik is a sophomore music major at Gustavus
Adolphus College. He has played the piano since the age of
three, and taught himself to play the organ.
Kevin Pisel is the Director of Music and Organist for the
Delano Catholic Community, the churches of St. Peter and St.
Joseph. He is responsible for six choirs, four of which he
conducts. He holds degrees in Organ Performance and Sacred
Music form Westminster Choir College, and also is a master
knitter, gourmet cook and avid physical fitness enthusiast.
Phillip Radtke is a junior studying organ at the University of
Minnesota with Dean Billmeyer. He has studied organ for
eight years, is choir director and associate organist at St.
Stephanus Lutheran Church in St. Paul and enjoys substituting
as organist at various other churches in the metro area.
John Stender is a first year graduate student from Davenport,
IA, pursuing a MM in organ and sacred music with Bruce
Neswick at Indian University. He graduated from Luther
College in Decorah, IA with a BA in organ and church music
(studying with Dr. Gregory Peterson), and religion. He
participated in the Yale Organ Week 2010, attended
conferences of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians,
and has traveled to South Africa, Namibia, and France to
study music. He is currently serving as Minister of Music at
Servants of Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Indianapolis.
Dr. Chad Winterfeldt is Director of Music at First Lutheran
Church in Saint Peter and on the faculty at Gustavus Adolphus
College as instructor of organ, handbells, and music
history. He has earned degrees in organ performance from the
University of Nebraska, Yale University and Concordia
College in Moorhead.
Cellist Nathaniel Yaffe, a student of Tanya Remenikova, is a
Doctor of Musical Arts candidate and Teaching Assistant at
the University of Minnesota. He has performed with the
Minnesota Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Aspen
Chamber Symphony, and as guest principal cellist with the
Quad City Symphony Orchestra.
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The first hour’s program is being broadcast live statewide by the network stations of Classical Minnesota Public Radio
(classicalMPR.org).
We appreciate the participation of The National Lutheran Choir and Orchestra, students from the University of Minnesota School
of Music, and members and friends of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (tcago.org).
NOTE: for the most direct transit from Luther Seminary to Como Park Lutheran, continue EAST on Hendon
then NORTH on Cleveland to Larpenteur, and continue EAST according to the map above. Lunch is on your
own initiative 
Enjoy organ music in its infinite variety with PIPEDREAMS, now in its 30th season, a weekly broadcast on Classical Minnesota
Public Radio (Sundays 6-8AM; 99.5FM in the Twin Cities). Each week a new two-hour program also appears on the website at
pipedreams.org, where hundreds of past broadcasts are accessible in the PIPEDREAMS program archive. And you can stay aware of
the many upcoming organ performance events throughout the region as listed at pipedreams.org/calendar