Organist Karel Paukert to Perform Feb. 16

by Richard Veit

Organist Karel Paukert will present a Lyceum Series recital at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in Jones Concert Hall, as part of Baylor University's annual Midwinter Organ Conference.
A native of the Czech Republic, Paukert became an American citizen in 1972. Two years later, he was appointed Curator of Musical Arts at the Cleveland Museum of Art, a position he still holds. He also is organist and choirmaster of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Paukert has performed extensively in Europe, North America and the Far East, and his performances have been acclaimed internationally for their perception, vibrancy and excitement. His energetic devotion to the enlargement of the organ repertoire has encouraged many composers to write new works for him.
His Lyceum Series recital--on Baylor's 92-rank, 4-manual McLane Organ--will open with works by four of his countrymen: Bedrich Antonín Wiedermann's "Toccata and Fugue in F minor," Josef Seger's "Fugue in A minor," Jan Krtitel Kuchar's "Andante in A minor" and "Pastorale in C major," and Leos Janácek's "Adagio" and "Postludium."
A modern work will follow, "Critical Mass" for organ and electronic tape, which was written by American composer James Mobberley in 1989.
After intermission, Paukert will play the "Magnificat," which is a movement from Swedish composer Torsten Nilsson's "Septem improvisationes." French music will conclude the program--Jehan Alain's "Postlude pour l'Office des Complies" and two movements ("The Angels" and "God Among Us") from Olivier Messiaen's "La Nativité du Seigneur."
This recital is free and open to the public. The Lyceum Series is funded annually through the generosity of the Meadows Foundation of Dallas. For more information, call the Baylor University School of Music at 710-3991.