Chapel Artist Series Returns with World-Famous Organists for 2015-16

The College of the Holy Cross’ Chapel Artist Series will return for the 2015-16 academic year featuring organists Philippe Lefebvre and Silvius von Kessel.  Both musicians have studied, performed, and taught across Europe and the U.S. and each will perform a concert this fall in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel.  Both concerts are free and open to the public.

Philippe Lefebvre will perform Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. Lefebvre is one of three titulaire organists at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.  He is also the former titulaire organist at the Cathedral of Chartres.  In addition, Lefebvre is the former director of the National Conservatory of Music, Theater, and Dance in Lille, France.  Lefebvre is acclaimed as “one of the greatest improvisers of the organ in the world.” He taught improvisation at the Paris Conservatory from 2004-2014.  As part of the Chapel Artist Series, Lefebvre will perform pieces by William Byrd, Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann in addition to three improvisations.

Organist Silvius von Kessel, will perform at Holy Cross on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. Von Kessel has studied the organ in Germany and at the Paris Conservatory. He holds the prestigious title of organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Erfurt and is the founder of the Bach-Liszt International Organ Competition of Erfurt Weimar.  Von Kessel received the title of honorary professor of organ at the “Franz-Liszt” Hochschule für Musik in Weimar.  At his concert on campus, von Kessel will perform works by J.S. Bach, Johann Pachelbel, Bernardo Pasquini and Johann Buttstett.  Von Kessel will end his program with an improvisation.

For more information about the Chapel Artist Series please call the music department at 508-793-2296.