Historic Organ Recital

The Episcopal Church of the Messiah will present organist Ken Cowan in recital. One of North America’s finest concert organists, Cowan’s recent performances have included appearances at Verizon Hall in Philadelphia with the Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. In addition, Mr. Cowan has been a featured artist in recent years at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Houston. Ken Cowan is Professor of Organ and head of the organ program at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas. He comes to Rhinebeck to introduce the church’s recently restored 1923 E.M. Skinner organ to the community. The instrument, one of the great gems of American organ building, was a gift to the church from Captain Vincent Astor as a tribute to his father, John Jacob Astor, who died in the sinking of the Titanic. It has recently returned to the church following a 3 year restoration by Quimby Pipe Organs of Warrensburg, Missouri.

Following the dedicatory recital, the organ will be featured several times each year as part of community events in addition to its regular presence during church services.

No tickets are required. Admission is free. The concert is a gift to the Rhinebeck community from The Episcopal Church of the Messiah and Quimby Pipe Organs.

Reception to follow.

The organ at the Church of the Messiah was installed in 1923 by the celebrated E.M. Skinner Company of Boston. The company, which had a reputation for creating instruments of superb quality and great tonal beauty, built organs for prominent churches and universities including both the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine and St. Thomas Church in New York.