Dr. Fishell makes history as the first woman to perform the St. Cecilia Recital. Established in 2007 to present world-renowned concert organists in recital during the biennial National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, this program is part of the AGO Convention taking place in San Francisco from June 30 to July 4 this summer. Her program, inspired by the theme “From Muse to Master,” features music by Tournemire, Vierne, Eben, Dupré, Barraine, and Laurin.
A highlight is the premiere of Suite for Organ by Mason Bates, named as the most-performed composer of his generation in a recent survey of American music. The Suite for Organ was specially commissioned by the AGO Convention for this concert. Composer Bates says that his music is “a collection of contrasting pieces for an instrument I have loved from my early youth . . . The organ's power, lyricism, and ability to create myriad sounds has always fascinated me . . . Closing out the suite is a toccata propelled by a rhythmic engine over which an almost vainglorious melody unfolds.”
Janette Fishell is Professor of Organ and Chair of the Organ Department at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University and is a frequent guest artist and teacher at conservatories, universities and civic concert series throughout the United States and Europe. Recordings for the NAXOS, Pro Organo and Loft labels feature her as organ soloist, accompanist, choral conductor and composer.