Musician will focus on Bach
Program at church to include samples of fugues, preludes
John E. George says he loves playing the new organ at the new home of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church on Columbia Road.
"It's a fabulous instrument, an incredible instrument. It's state of the art," said George, the church's director of music ministry who will play a concert featuring the works of Johann Sebastian Bach at 2 p.m. today.
George will play a sample of eight of Bach's preludes and fugues, which he said are some of his favorite works by the 18th century German composer.
Bach, considered one of the great composers of the baroque era, composed more than a thousand sacred and secular works for the organ and choirs.
"I love to play Bach and I've played just about all of his pieces," he said.
George said the Rev. Thomas J. Peyton requested the Bach pieces for their uplifting and upbeat nature.
George, who has served his role at St. Teresa of Avila for five years, said he has played the organ for nearly 50 years. The concert is free, but guests can purchase compact discs for $15 with the proceeds to pay for a conversion of the digital organ into a full pipe organ, once the congregation has raised money to build their new sanctuary, George said.
A reception with refreshments will follow the 45- minute concert.