On Sunday, October 24, the TriChapter Committee, representing the three AGO Chapters in the Washington DC area (District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Potomac) presented PipeSpectacular XI, this year featuring two prize winning organists, Dongho Lee and David Baskeyfield, at the Washington National Cathedral.
Dongho Lee and David Baskeyfield. (photo by Margo Truslow)
"PipeSpectacular returned to Washington Cathedral on October 24th, and in his welcoming remarks, Cathedral Organist Scott Dettra said that it was a pleasure for the Cathedral to host this event again, especially in the context of the revived weekly recital series. Due to budgetary constraints and other factors, the Cathedral suspended its weekly series for three years, but it seems it is back on track now, thankfully! An audience of over 650 heard Dongho Lee, the winner of the repertoire competition, and David Baskeyfield, the winner of the improvisation competition from last summer's national convention, in a stunning display of musicianship and virtuosity. Playing such as was heard that day will go a long way towards winning new friends for the art of the organist, as will our continuing efforts at providing stimulating programs and other events for our chapter members and friends." John Brooks, Dean, Potomac Chapter
Scott Matthias, Dean of the Northern Virginia Chapter, Charles Miller, Dean of the DC Chapter, Dongho Lee, David Baskeyfield, John Brooks, Dean of the Potomac Chapter and Clarice Snyder, SubDean of the Potomac Chapter. (photo by Margo Truslow)
"Recitalists Dongho Lee and David Baskeyfield played an inspired concert at Washington National Cathedral for the 11th annual PipeSpectacular program. The Oct. 24 event was sponsored by the TriChapter of the AGO. The program on the four-manual, 189 rank Skinner organ featured pieces by Elgar, Durufle, Manari and Vierne. Baskeyfield also played an improvisation on two seasonal themes: the signature song from the 1960's TV show "The Munsters" and Sine Nomine. Both recitalists won prizes at the 2010 National Convention in Washington, DC. Lee, a doctoral student at Indiana University, won first prize and the audience prize in the National Young Artist Competition in Organ Performance. Baskeyfield, a doctoral student at the Eastman School of Music, won first prize and the audience prize in the National competition in Organ Improvisation." From THE COUPLER, the DC Chapter newsletter
"An event that I never miss during this season is PipeSpectacular. This year's concert was particularly special for two reasons: National Cathedral was able to host us again because of delays in their organ project, and the recital featured the two winners of AGO national competitions. The Cathedral ushers counted 562 ateendees in the audience, which is an astounding number for a pipe ogan event. Dongho Lee and David Baskeyfield brought new life to works by Elgar, Durufle, Manari and Vierne. Mr. Baskeyfield enhanced his repertoire selections with a delightfully wild improvisation on submitted themes, which turned out to be Sine Nomine (For All the Saints) and the theme from The Munsters television show." Scott Matthias, Dean, Northern VA Chapter.
