MUSIC, GETTYSBURG! PRESENTS ORGAN VIRTUOSO FELIX HELL OFFERING ALL BACH CONCERT AT GETTYSBURG SEMINARY

GETTYSBURG, PA—Music Gettysburg! welcomes the stunningly talented and globe- trotting organist, Felix Hell who will perform an all Bach concert on the Andover Organ at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, January 13th, at 4 P.M.

Hell, who is Distinguished Artist in Residence at the Seminary, is hailed as the “most well known young concert organist worldwide” (Dr. John Weaver), and “undoubtedly one of the major talents of the century” (Dr. Frederick Swann, AGO president), the German organ virtuoso Felix Hell is a phenomenon in several ways.

Highlights of the concert, all works by Johan Sebastian Bach, include the Toccata & Fugue in F Major,  Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Bach’s Trio Sonata No. 2, his Fantasy & Fugue in G Minor,  Six Schübler Chorales, and more.

A liturgical organist since the age of eight, Felix has concertized in Germany and abroad since the age of nine, has already performed more than 700 recitals in his native Germany, as well as abroad since the age of nine, concertizing in countries such as Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Korea, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Russia, and the USA, where he performed more than 500 recitals in 44 states.

Other career milestones include the performances of the entire organ work of Johann Sebastian Bach both in the USA and Germany in 2006 and 2007 three times and the performances of the organ works of Felix Mendelssohn in the USA and in Germany.

Felix Hell was born on September 14, 1985, in Frankenthal/Pfalz, Germany. He took his first piano lesson at the age of seven, followed by his first organ lesson shortly after his eighth birthday. On Easter 1994, still eight years old, he performed in his first service as an liturgical organist. Also in 1994, he participated in the German competition for young musicians Jugend musiziertï, and was awarded with two First Prizes in organ playing, following by First Prizes in 1996 (piano solo), 1997 (organ sol) and 1999 (piano solo).
More about Felix Hell at www.felixhell.com

Come enjoy this afternoon concert which is free and open to the public.  The Seminary Chapel is located at 147 Seminary Ridge in Gettysburg. For more information about this and other concerts remaining in the Music, Gettysburg! schedule, please call 717-338-3000 ext 2197 or visit the web site at www.musicgettysburg.org .

One year ago, “when the Music, Gettysburg! steering committee set a goal of contributing $100,000 to Phase I of Gettysburg Seminary’s $1.8 million Chapel Renewal Project, we knew it was a stretch,” said Steering Committe member Jean LeGros. “Yet we also were confident that members of the community and beyond would step up to help meet the goal. And you did!,” she added.

Music, Gettysburg! and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg is delighted to announce that more than $100,000 in gifts and pledges have been contributed by Music, Gettysburg! patrons toward the important first phase of major renovations to its 70 year old chapel, the host home of the 15-20 annual concert series.

Music, Gettysburg! is, has been and will continue to be a primary patron of the chapel’s performance space. Your gifts for chapel renewal are an expression of appreciation to the Seminary for inviting the concert series to use the chapel for the past thirty-two years. Phase I of the chapel renewal project ($1 million), now complete, supports sustainability and comfort: refurbished pews, a new hardwood floor, and twenty-five geothermal wells for constant heating and cooling. Phase II ($.8 million), to begin in the next few years, will support accessibility: ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant restrooms, doors, staircases and elevator. Other initiatives planned for the future include a new common area in the undercroft level, a rehearsal room, and an enhanced narthex/lobby area.

The patrons and friends of Music, Gettysburg! who have given generously toward these projects promises to improve the quality and comfort for performance and expand the capability to welcome music lovers for years to come.

THANK YOU!  TOGETHER, WE ACHIEVED THE GOAL!

You can make a gift now through a secure web server: http://secure.ltsg.edu/donations/proddetail.php?prod=LTSG-CDEV

Music, Gettyburg! is a premier quality, free concert series featuring the finest regional, national and international musicians hosted by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. The seminary chapel is located at 147 Seminary Ridge on the west edge of the Borough of Gettysburg. For more information about this and other concerts remaining in the Music, Gettysburg! schedule, please call 717-338-3000 ext 2197 or email info@musicgettysburg.org or explore this website www.musicgettysburg.org .

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