[from the KC Symphony website:]

Teddy Abrams, guest conductor

Jennifer Koh, violin

Women of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

CAROLINE SHAW The Observatory

MISSY MAZZOLI Violin Concerto

GUSTAV HOLST The Planets

Stargazers will revel in Caroline Shaw’s expansive piece, The Observatory, inspired by a visit to Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Eclectic violinist Jennifer Koh commissioned Missy Mazzoli’s Violin Concerto, anchored in tradition but modern and fresh. Conducting phenom Teddy Abrams is known for his unquenchable enthusiasm and imaginative approach to classical music. He’ll bring that zest to Gustav Holst’s The Planets, an orchestral tour de force enhanced by the Symphony Chorus. Holst’s awe-inspiring musical depictions of the celestial heavens are as richly varied as their planetary namesakes. From the powerful music for Mars and fleet notes representing Mercury to the grandeur of Saturn and the mystical sounds of Neptune, this program is truly out of this world!

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on The Planets.

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Teddy Abrams, guest conductor

Jennifer Koh, violin

Women of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

CAROLINE SHAW The Observatory

MISSY MAZZOLI Violin Concerto

GUSTAV HOLST The Planets

Stargazers will revel in Caroline Shaw’s expansive piece, The Observatory, inspired by a visit to Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Eclectic violinist Jennifer Koh commissioned Missy Mazzoli’s Violin Concerto, anchored in tradition but modern and fresh. Conducting phenom Teddy Abrams is known for his unquenchable enthusiasm and imaginative approach to classical music. He’ll bring that zest to Gustav Holst’s The Planets, an orchestral tour de force enhanced by the Symphony Chorus. Holst’s awe-inspiring musical depictions of the celestial heavens are as richly varied as their planetary namesakes. From the powerful music for Mars and fleet notes representing Mercury to the grandeur of Saturn and the mystical sounds of Neptune, this program is truly out of this world!

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on The Planets.

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Matthias Pintscher, guest conductor

George Li, piano

GYORGY LIGETI San Francisco Polyphony

MAURICE RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Major

MAURICE RAVEL Rapsodie espagnole

ALEXANDER SCRIABIN Poème d’extase (Poem of Ecstasy)

Guest conductor Matthias Pintscher brings his unique insight to György Ligeti’s San Francisco Polyphony, filled with melodic patterns rising out of the fog. Ravel’s Piano Concerto delights the mind and senses alike with its wit, charm and effervescence. Pianist extraordinaire George Li returns to Kansas City for another star turn in this delightful work. Drawing on his mother’s Basque heritage, Ravel captured the flavor of Spain with bejeweled timbres in his Rapsodie espagnole. You’ll be enthralled by its sensuously lithe lines and rhythmic vitality. Then, Scriabin’s obsessive quest for transcendence and metaphysical musings are on full display in The Poem of Ecstasy. Its voluptuous sound will envelop you in a wonderfully mystical experience, and the truly ecstatic ending will raise the roof!

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on The Poem of Ecstasy.

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Matthias Pintscher, guest conductor

George Li, piano

GYORGY LIGETI San Francisco Polyphony

MAURICE RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Major

MAURICE RAVEL Rapsodie espagnole

ALEXANDER SCRIABIN Poème d’extase (Poem of Ecstasy)

Guest conductor Matthias Pintscher brings his unique insight to György Ligeti’s San Francisco Polyphony, filled with melodic patterns rising out of the fog. Ravel’s Piano Concerto delights the mind and senses alike with its wit, charm and effervescence. Pianist extraordinaire George Li returns to Kansas City for another star turn in this delightful work. Drawing on his mother’s Basque heritage, Ravel captured the flavor of Spain with bejeweled timbres in his Rapsodie espagnole. You’ll be enthralled by its sensuously lithe lines and rhythmic vitality. Then, Scriabin’s obsessive quest for transcendence and metaphysical musings are on full display in The Poem of Ecstasy. Its voluptuous sound will envelop you in a wonderfully mystical experience, and the truly ecstatic ending will raise the roof!

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on The Poem of Ecstasy.

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Matthias Pintscher, guest conductor

George Li, piano

GYORGY LIGETI San Francisco Polyphony

MAURICE RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Major

MAURICE RAVEL Rapsodie espagnole

ALEXANDER SCRIABIN Poème d’extase (Poem of Ecstasy)

Guest conductor Matthias Pintscher brings his unique insight to György Ligeti’s San Francisco Polyphony, filled with melodic patterns rising out of the fog. Ravel’s Piano Concerto delights the mind and senses alike with its wit, charm and effervescence. Pianist extraordinaire George Li returns to Kansas City for another star turn in this delightful work. Drawing on his mother’s Basque heritage, Ravel captured the flavor of Spain with bejeweled timbres in his Rapsodie espagnole. You’ll be enthralled by its sensuously lithe lines and rhythmic vitality. Then, Scriabin’s obsessive quest for transcendence and metaphysical musings are on full display in The Poem of Ecstasy. Its voluptuous sound will envelop you in a wonderfully mystical experience, and the truly ecstatic ending will raise the roof!

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on The Poem of Ecstasy.

Each of the pipes in a pipe organ can speak at only one pitch, one volume, and one timbre (tone color). By definition, then, a pipe organ is a community of voices, each adding its unique sound to the musical conversation. This program illustrates the rich diversity of compositional voices for organ across generations and geography.

Planned repertoire includes:

LOUIS COUPERIN (c. 1626-1661): Chaconne in G minor

JAN PIETERSZOON SWEELINCK (1562-1621): Variations on "Mein junges Leben hat ein End"

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): Meine Seele erhebt den Herren: Fuga on the Magnificat, BWV 733

J.S. BACH: Canonic Variations on "Vom Himmel hoch," BWV 769

GUSTAV HOLST (1874-1934), transcr. Henry G. Lay: Chaconne from First Suite for Military Band, Op. 28, No. 1

ANDREA GABRIELI (c. 1533-1585): Canzon detta "Qui la dira"

JEHAN ALAIN (1911-1940): Variations on a Theme by Clément Jannequin

MARY BETH BENNETT (b. 1954): Hommage à Langlais: Song of Peace in a Time of War

DANIEL E. GAWTHROP (b. 1949): Kyrie and Lux Aeterna from Requiem for Organ

JOHANNES MATTHIAS MICHEL (b. 1962): Swing Five: Erhalt uns, Herr

JOSEPH BONNET (1884-1944): Variations de Concert, Op. 1

The last time I presented an in-person concert on Super Bowl Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl! After two years of on-line only concerts due to COVID concerns, I'm so excited to present my 24th annual Super Bowl Sunday Organ Concert, “Beyond Words,” under the dome of Community of Christ Auditorium.

I'm fulfilling the same promise I've made each of the past 20-plus years: when the Chiefs go to the Super Bowl, I open the concert with a piece performed in the team’s honor on this 6,334-pipe auditorium organ.

More solo organ and piano music will follow, including the world premiere of a major new work, REQUIEM FOR ORGAN by the American composer Daniel E. Gawthrop. In addition to organ, you'll hear three jazz preludes for piano by Nikolai Kapustin, a Ukranian-born composer who died in 2020. These and other works on the program will focus on moments that are “beyond words,” and the power of music to unite and inspire us.

During the concert, close-ups of hands and feet in action will be seen on two large video screens.

The concert is free (donations gratefully accepted), 5,800 seats are available, and free parking is available. The audience is invited to wear Chiefs red. The concert is 90 minutes long, allowing time to arrive at Super Bowl celebrations later that day.

Repertoire includes:

JAN KRAYBILL (b. 1960): Go Chiefs!

HERBERT HOWELLS (1892-1983): Paean

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): Fuga on the Magnificat, BWV 733

NIKOLAI KAPUSTIN (1937-2020): three preludes from 24 Preludes in Jazz Style, Op. 53

DANIEL E. GAWTHROP (b. 1949): Requiem for Organ

JEAN SIBELIUS (1865-1957), transcr. H. A. Fricker: Finlandia

This concert will be live-streamed (available for viewing only at the time of the performance) at https://www.youtube.com/live/Kr9tLUlnlgU?feature=share

You may access the printed program here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R-VZRe2Y5qK7KTOT3gRSvXBIpEOhBkAB/view?usp=share_link

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Francesco Lecce-Chong, guest conductor Geneva Lewis, violin

MASON BATES Garages of the Valley WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Violin Concerto No. 3 OTTORINO RESPIGHI Fountains of Rome OTTORINO RESPIGHI Pines of Rome

Innovator Mason Bates’ Garages of the Valley is a trek through the imagined and exotic music of Silicon Valley’s tech geniuses in their garage development days. Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto is a wonderful gem filled with some of his most irrepressibly joyous music. New Zealand-born violinist Geneva Lewis shares her youthful exuberance — and serious artistry — in performances sure to bring a smile to your face. Guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong is your tour guide for visit to Rome, via Respighi’s colossal Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome. Respighi depicts nature, centuries-old trees and cascades of water in that “other” City of Fountains.

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on the Respighi pieces.

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Francesco Lecce-Chong, guest conductor Geneva Lewis, violin

MASON BATES Garages of the Valley WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Violin Concerto No. 3 OTTORINO RESPIGHI Fountains of Rome OTTORINO RESPIGHI Pines of Rome

Innovator Mason Bates’ Garages of the Valley is a trek through the imagined and exotic music of Silicon Valley’s tech geniuses in their garage development days. Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto is a wonderful gem filled with some of his most irrepressibly joyous music. New Zealand-born violinist Geneva Lewis shares her youthful exuberance — and serious artistry — in performances sure to bring a smile to your face. Guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong is your tour guide for visit to Rome, via Respighi’s colossal Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome. Respighi depicts nature, centuries-old trees and cascades of water in that “other” City of Fountains.

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on the Respighi pieces.

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Francesco Lecce-Chong, guest conductor Geneva Lewis, violin

MASON BATES Garages of the Valley WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Violin Concerto No. 3 OTTORINO RESPIGHI Fountains of Rome OTTORINO RESPIGHI Pines of Rome

Innovator Mason Bates’ Garages of the Valley is a trek through the imagined and exotic music of Silicon Valley’s tech geniuses in their garage development days. Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto is a wonderful gem filled with some of his most irrepressibly joyous music. New Zealand-born violinist Geneva Lewis shares her youthful exuberance — and serious artistry — in performances sure to bring a smile to your face. Guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong is your tour guide for visit to Rome, via Respighi’s colossal Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome. Respighi depicts nature, centuries-old trees and cascades of water in that “other” City of Fountains.

I'll be playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ on the Respighi pieces.

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney's wonderful score is played live to picture by your KC Symphony in Elf™ in Concert!​ MPAA Rating: PG

ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s22)

I'm always happy to play keyboards for these film events!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney's wonderful score is played live to picture by your KC Symphony in Elf™ in Concert!​ MPAA Rating: PG

ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s22)

I'm always happy to play keyboards for these film events!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney's wonderful score is played live to picture by your KC Symphony in Elf™ in Concert!​ MPAA Rating: PG

ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s22)

I'm always happy to play keyboards for these film events!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney's wonderful score is played live to picture by your KC Symphony in Elf™ in Concert!​ MPAA Rating: PG

ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s22)

I'm always happy to play keyboards for these film events!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Gonzalo Farias, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

Bring your family to experience the concert that feels like Christmas! Beautiful arrangements of carols and songs of the season are performed by your KC Symphony, Symphony Chorus and amazing special guests. From the family sing-along to an early visit from Santa, come and take a musical sleigh ride with us!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Gonzalo Farias, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

Bring your family to experience the concert that feels like Christmas! Beautiful arrangements of carols and songs of the season are performed by your KC Symphony, Symphony Chorus and amazing special guests. From the family sing-along to an early visit from Santa, come and take a musical sleigh ride with us!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Gonzalo Farias, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

Bring your family to experience the concert that feels like Christmas! Beautiful arrangements of carols and songs of the season are performed by your KC Symphony, Symphony Chorus and amazing special guests. From the family sing-along to an early visit from Santa, come and take a musical sleigh ride with us!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Gonzalo Farias, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

Bring your family to experience the concert that feels like Christmas! Beautiful arrangements of carols and songs of the season are performed by your KC Symphony, Symphony Chorus and amazing special guests. From the family sing-along to an early visit from Santa, come and take a musical sleigh ride with us!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Gonzalo Farias, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor

Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

Bring your family to experience the concert that feels like Christmas! Beautiful arrangements of carols and songs of the season are performed by your KC Symphony, Symphony Chorus and amazing special guests. From the family sing-along to an early visit from Santa, come and take a musical sleigh ride with us!

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Christopher Allen, guest conductor Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director Zoe Allen, soprano Daniela Mack, mezzo-soprano Alek Shrader, tenor Levi Hernandez, baritone

Witness one of the Kansas City Symphony’s most beloved holiday traditions! Featuring the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and some of America’s most accomplished soloists, Handel’s Messiah includes the iconic “Hallelujah Chorus” and sweeping solos portraying one of the greatest stories ever told. Handel’s glorious choral masterpiece will bring hope and joy to your Christmas season.

I'm pleased to be at the harpsichord each year for these performances.