Simple Gifts

Concert of Folk & World Music by Duo Artists:

Linda Littleton & Karen Hirshon

Sunday, April 12, 2015 — 4:00 pm

Appearing also as worship leaders

for the morning worship service at 10:30.

Two women plus twelve instruments equals one good time when Simple Gifts takes the stage.

Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, this award-winning trio plays every-

thing from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer frailachs

and haunting Gypsy melodies, spicing the mix with the distinctive rhythms of Balkan dance

music, the lush sounds of Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions written in a

traditional style. Visit www.simplegiftsmusic.com for more information.

“Simple Gifts wowed our audience with a cultural and educational program that was fun, in-

formative, and energetic.” – Teresia Bush, Smithsonian Institute

"Simple Gifts can take a simple melody and make a symphony out of it!" —Carl Rahkonen,

Indiana University of PA

"Simple Gifts presented one of the finest concerts I have ever experienced at our church, and

I've been Music Director here for more than 25 years." —Dr. James Hicks, Director of Music,

Morristown NJ Presbyterian Church

COMPLINE: Prayer at the Close of Day

Sunday, May 17

7:30 p.m.– organ music for Ascension played by David J. Kienzle

including excerpts from Ascension Suite by Olivier Messiaen

8:00 — chants, motets, and psalms

In the quiet abbey-like atmosphere of the sanctuary, as the

technicolor hues from the stained glass windows dissolve slowly

into darkness, listeners absorb the timbres of the organ, which

Messiaen, literally heard and composed as colors (known as

synesthesia). Members of our Chancel Choir will offer this ser-

vice as they sing their prayers and pray their songs in the abid-

ing presence of God and all who wish to participate aurally.

GREAT MUSIC IN A GREAT SPACE The 2014-15 Christ Church

CONCERT SERIES

Concerts and Services in the Sanctuary Christ Presbyterian Church Tuscarawas & McKinley in Downtown Canton

Music as Mission & Ministry

in the heart of the city.

Announcing the Inaugural Concert for our new

Bösendorfer Grand Piano:

Sunday, September 28 — 7:00 pm

The Cleveland Orchestra Quintet

The first concert use of the new grand piano in Christ Presbyterian Church will be played by some of

the “inner circle” of the world famous Cleveland Orchestra. Principal Keyboard artist, Joela Jones,

will be joined by a string quartet who are either principals or assistant principals of the violin, viola,

and cello sections of the orchestra. The program will feature the collaborative qualities of this amaz-

ing new instrument in our sanctuary, with the music of de Falla, Chopin, Debussy, and Elgar.

Joela Jones holds the Rudolph Serkin Endowed Chair, which includes the duties

of playing piano, organ, harpsichord, celesta, synthesizer, and accordion with

The Cleveland Orchestra. As soloist with the Orchestra, she has performed

over fifty different concertos in more than 200 performances at Severance Hall

and Blossom Music Center as well as on tour in Europe and Asia. Since the

renovation of Severance Hall’s Norton Memorial Organ in 2001, Ms. Jones has

performed works for organ and orchestra by Barber, Poulenc, Saint-Saëns,

Janáček, MacMillan, and Ives.

Choral Evensong & Hymn Festival

Sunday, October 26, 2014 — 6:00 pm

CPC Chancel Choir

with guest instrumentalists

Congregation joins in singing festival hymns

from our new hymnal, Glory to God

Many Americans have had the opportunity to travel to Great Britain, the cradle of

so much of our beloved cultural and religious history. There, travelers from all

across the globe are drawn to the architectural wonders in the splendor of cathedrals

and college chapels. Upon entering for a feast of the eyes, many visitors unknowing-

ly happen upon a musical service prayed by the clergy and choir community late in

the afternoon several days a week. That is the timeless tradition on which this

Christ Church liturgy is based. Anthems, canticles, hymns, prayers, chants, and

psalms: transporting us from the mundane to the spiritual.

Chelsea Chen, concert organist

Sunday, November 16, 2014 — 4:00 pm

Co-sponsored by the Schantz Organ Co.

Organist and composer Chelsea Chen (b. 1983) is internation-

ally renowned for her concerts of “rare musicality” and

“lovely lyrical grandeur,” and a compositional style that is

“charming” and “irresistible” (Los Angeles Times).

One of the most promising organists of her generation, she

has electrified audiences throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia

in venues such as Singapore’s Esplanade, Hong Kong’s Cultural Centre, Kishinev’s

National Organ Hall, and Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center. As a composer she is

broadening the classical organ repertoire with her own works based on Asian folk-

songs. Ms. Chen has soloed with orchestras throughout the world including the Wu-

han Philharmonic in China, the Jakarta Simfonia in Indonesia, and the Juilliard

Percussion Orchestra in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. For more information,

visit: www.chelseachen.com

Clive Driskill-Smith, organ & Joseph Gramley, percussion

Sunday, February 15, 2015 — 4:00 pm

Co-sponsored by the Gibbs Music Fund of Christ Church

“Organized Rhythm blew the crowd away with their rendition of

Holst's Planets … this program was incredibly appealing and

can serve as a vehicle to pique youngsters' interest in the organ

and classical music - highly recommended!” (The Diapa-

son 2013)

“Absolutely incredible! ...A stunning program! …Loved the Jupi-

ter! ...‘Twas great watching Gramley get ‘round all the gourds

and guiros, accompanying organ solos with extremely adept

mallet work, too! …An outstanding performance! …Clear highlight of the

[convention]!! ...The show-stopper of the week! …BRAVO for these talented young men!” —

compiled from evaluations & ratings of Organized Rhythm’s program at the June 2009 AGO

Region VI Convention. Visit: www.organizedrhythm.com

J. S. Bach: The Passion According to St. John

Christ Church Chancel Choir and Guest Soloists and Orchestra

Sunday, March 15, 2015 — 6:00 pm

Sung in English † David J. Kienzle, conductor

“The Johannespassion as a whole

has a tender and deeply human

quality. The music which por-

trays the disgrace of Judas, of Pi-

late and of Peter is imbued with a

spirit of pity rather than anger. . .

We are led into involvement, so

that the reaction becomes our own

responsibility. . . Bach has cap-

tured it with precise and sympa-

thetic exactness. — Stephen Daw:

The Music of JSB

Bach’s setting “draws sharp con-

trasts between the unruly crowd

and the divine calm of Christ.”

The chorales add “meditative com-

mentaries and reflect on the faith

that underlies the entire Passion

account.” This is full of Bach’s

“religious spirit, his technical mas-

tery, and his expressive power.”

—Homer Ulrich: A Survey of

Choral Music.