Stefan Kiessling, organist at Johann Sebastian Bach’s church in Leipzig, Germany, is in residence at Union College for the fourth time. He is spending two weeks in the area, with seven appearances, all but one on campus or within walking distance.
Union students have gotten to know Herr Kiessling. Since this is his fourth visit to campus some students recognize him and strike up conversations (occasionally in German!) with him as he walks about campus. He enjoys participating in the activities of the College while he is here. He has given tours of the famous Leipzig church to students on our Germany Term Abroad Program and eaten lunch with them there.
Herr Kiessling still has four events during this residency, all of which are free and open to the public. Receptions follow all performances.
- Friday, Oct. 6 - 10:30-11:35 a.m. Lecture: “Some Composers Inspired by Luther” in Memorial Chapel
- Friday Oct. 6 - 7 p.m. Organ recital: Works by Reger, Mendelssohn, and Elgar at Zion Lutheran Church (153 Nott Terrace)
- Saturday, Oct. 7 - 10 a.m. to noon; Organ Masterclass (Herr Kiessling gives tips to performers) at Zion Lutheran Church (153 Nott Terrace)
- Monday, Oct. 9 – 7 p.m. Organ Recital: Works by Johann Sebastian Bach in Memorial Chapel
Herr Kiessling has had a very busy schedule already. He performed an organ recital last Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany. On our campus he gave a lecture, "Johann Sebastian Bach and Leipzig,” on Tuesday and he performed a pedal harpsichord recital on Thursday to open the new library exhibit called “Reformation, Restoration, and Romeyn: Faith and the Founding of Union College.”
For additional information about any of Herr Kiessling’s upcoming performances, please contact Prof. Dianne McMullen (mcmulled@union.edu). Herr Kiessling’s residency, in the works for almost two years, is part of a series of events at the College related to the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.