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Performance Oklahoma: Kemp Concert Series - Musical Monuments

In the final concert presented by the Kemp Concert Series at Oklahoma City's First Presbyterian Church last season, the newly renovated and expanded sanctuary organ is showcased in a program also honoring the 25th anniversary of service for First Presbyterian's organist John L. Edwards. Featuring two grand symphonies for organ and orchestra from the great French organ tradition of the late 19th century, the Symphony No. 1 for organ and orchestra Op 42 by Alexandre Guilmant and the Symphony No. 3 in c minor Op 78 by Camille Saint-Saens, Mr. Edwards is joined by the Kemp Concert Orchestra and Warren Puffer Jones, who conducts the concert and also serves as the Director of Music and Arts for the Church as well as Director of the Series. We’ll hear the concert and enjoy commentary from both Dr. Jones and Mr. Edwards about Kemp Concerts, the organ and renovation project, and the program’s works.

The newly renovated and expanded sanctuary organ, first installed in 1964 by the MP Möller pipe-organ company now features 91 ranks and 5237 pipes and is one of a small collection of treasured grand pipe organs in the state of Oklahoma. Throughout its history, the organ has been played by a number of nationally and internationally acclaimed organists and featured in several regional conferences of the American Guild of Organists. Additionally, Oklahoma City's First Presbyterian Church is one of the few, if not the only church in the US to possess four pipe organs housed in the same facility.

This program airs Saturday, 9/16, 8pm, on Classical 88.7 HD-1.