Paul Jacobs gives the world premiere of the Organ Concerto by Christopher Rouse on November 17 with the Philadelphia Orchestra led by their Music Director, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, in an organ extravaganza program that also includes Barber’s Toccata Festiva for Organ and Orchestra, and Saint Saën’s Symphony No. 3. Paul will repeat the Rouse Concerto later this season with co-commissioners Los Angeles Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra.
“It was touching to see Mr. Jacobs use all his weight and force to squeeze every ounce of sound out of the grand final chord.”
– James R. Oestreich, THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 19, 2016
He spends Thanksgiving weekend this month playing Barber’s Toccata Festivawith the Montreal Symphony. Other fall highlights included a return to the Cleveland Orchestra to open their season with Copland’s Symphony for Organ and Orchestra led by Music Director, Franz Welser-Most, and a return to the Kansas City Symphony with Music Director, Michael Stern, for Alexander Guilmant’s Symphony No. 1.
“Whether interacting subtly with individual musicians or letting the organ rip in regal displays with the full ensemble, Jacobs displayed perfect senses of balance and registration in addition to technical fluidity and musical insight. Through often strange, winding, and unpredictable territory, the organist proved an assured and compelling guide, taking care to point out all the music’s curious wonders.”
– Zachary Lewis, CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER, September 30, 2016
Wearing a different hat, Paul Jacobs added a journalistic twist to his career, advocating for the re-institution of the pipe organ in the New York Philharmonic concert hall with his piece published in the Wall Street Journal:
“Many people think of the organ as a solemn, lonely instrument, and organists as primarily a support for congregational singing. The organ’s sacred setting over the past millennium should not be underestimated or diminished, and church organists continue to play an indispensable role. But the artistic possibilities for organ music have blossomed significantly beyond the sanctuary.” – Paul Jacobs (to view the full article on the Wall Street Journal site, click here)