Annual Celebrity Organ Recital: Kola Owolabi plays Bach

Internationally acclaimed concert organist Kola Owolabi returns to St. George’s Arlington to perform on the Martin Pasi Op. 28, the historically inspired mechanical‑action organ completed in 2021—an instrument he inaugurated with its dedication recital. Renowned for performances across major North American and European venues, Owolabi brings his characteristic clarity, color, and interpretative depth to an all‑Bach program structured around the commanding “Dorian” Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538, with its movements enveloping the recital.
Between these pillar movements lie three Leipzig chorale preludes—An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653; Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 655, and Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657—along with the chamber‑like Trio Sonata No. 2 in C minor, BWV 526, and the eloquently varied Partite diverse sopra: Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, BWV 770.
Owolabi is Professor of Organ and Head of the Graduate Organ Studio at the University of Notre Dame.
Robert Beizer, underwriter