Faculty Artists: Tiffany Blake, Soprano; Nicole Asel, Mezzo-Soprano; John Lindsay, Tenor; with Joel Bacon, Piano, and Organ
This lecture-recital explores the spirit of early Irish monasticism, from St. Patrick through the Middle Ages, in works for voice, piano, and solo organ. At the center of the program is Samuel Barber’s “Hermit Songs,” sung by Nicole Asel, Tiffany Blake, and John Lindsay, accompanied by Joel Bacon, who will give context to the program’s works in a brief lecture.
Program to include:
- “Hermit Songs,” op. 29, Samuel Barber
- “A Prayer of St. Columba,” Cecilia McDowall
- “Brigid’s Flame” (for solo organ), Amy Williams
- “leóþcwide” (for organ and electronics), Lauren Redhead
Joel Bacon is the Stewart and Sheron Golden Chair of Organ and Liturgical Studies and the Fr. Don Willette Chair of Catholic Studies at Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
As a concert organist, he has been heard throughout Europe and North America. Recent projects have focused on music by J. S. Bach, W. A. Mozart, and Herman Berlinski (including the world premiere in 2019 of Berlinski’s organ concerto, “The Tetragrammaton”). He has played with celebrated orchestras and chamber groups, including the Borromeo String Quartet and the Canadian Brass.
In addition to the organ, his research and teaching interests include topics related to Catholicism and the creative arts, especially Gregorian chant. From 2008 to 2020, he conducted the St. John XXIII Schola Cantorum, a choir specializing in Gregorian chant. Since 2021, he has been organist and artist in residence at First United Methodist Church, Fort Collins.
