Weighing over 35,000 pounds and equipped with 3,998 pipes, the Sharkey-Corrigan Pipe Organ. On Jan. 21 it was played by the recognized concert organist, Dr. Timothy Albrecht of Emory University in Atlanta.
Albrecht has played organ recitals all over the world, such as King’s College Cambridge, the Taipei National Concert Hall, and St. Sulpice in Paris. Including Laredo, Albrecht’s recitals this season can also be seen in New York, Vienna, and Bratislava.
The Jan. 21 recital featured an assortment of organ compositions that were arranged in four groups that each reflected a different mood. The pieces were played in an order that let the members of the audience discover that not only is the organ an expressive instrument but also a versatile one.
An audience member noted that Albrecht performed with such elegance, he made “playing the organ look easy.”
The opening piece of the recital was by Johann Sebastian Bach, and set high standards for the rest of concert, yet the audience was not disappointed.
Albrecht also played Grace Notes, his own organ compositions, including “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
When asked about the inspiration for the piece, Albrecht said, “I tried to think of what his mother might’ve sang to him as a child and it sounds like a bluesy kind of lullaby.”
“The concert was great. I’m definitely coming to the next recital,” said Emily Rodriguez, sophomore.
Although the organ recital series is widely publicized on campus, there was a low student turnout.
Since the recital was free and open to the public, the majority of the audience consisted of local music supporters.
When asked how it felt to be playing in the Recital Hall, Albrecht responded, “It’s always special to play in venues such as these. It’s a special feeling I share with the audience.” That was the general opinion shared after the concert on Sunday. People were so captivated by Albrecht’s performance, he received a standing ovation. Unable to walk off-stage, Albrecht returned to give an immensely enjoyed encore.