Jens Korndörfer - Faculty Recital I

Program
- Präludium und Fuge in Es-Dur, BWV 552 - Johann Sebastian Bach
- Fantaisie en la (from the Trois Pièces) - César Franck
- Suite, Op. 5 - Maurice Duruflé
German American organist Dr. Jens Korndörfer is the Joyce O. Bowden Professor of Music and Associate Professor of Organ at Baylor University in Texas and is regularly invited to perform and teach at prestigious venues and festivals around the world.
Praised as “a virtuoso in the grand Romantic tradition” who creates “performances that are deeply musically satisfying as well as exciting” (The American Organist), highlights of Korndörfer’s performance career include Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, Victoria Hall in Singapore, the Cadet Chapel in West Point, Duke University Chapel, the Cathedral-Basilica in St. Louis, the Montreal Bach Festival, the Cathedrals in Washington, Berlin, Bremen, Paris, Salzburg, Oslo, and Moscow, Westminster Abbey in London, the Royal Chapel in Versailles, the Frauenkirche in Dresden, Suntory Hall and Metropolitan Art Space in Tokyo, Kyoto Concert Hall, and the Cultural Centre in Hong Kong.
Korndörfer’s repertoire reaches from the Renaissance to the 21st century, including transcriptions, and world premieres. Widely recognized as a "prodigious technician" (La Presse, Montreal), his "effortless and poetic playing" (Susan Landale) delight both organ aficionados and first-time visitors alike. In addition to frequently collaborating with other musicians, he has also performed with ensembles such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, and the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini.
Since 2023, Korndörfer has been directing the organ program at Baylor University, which he grew from six majors in fall 2023 to 15 in fall 2026. In addition to teaching organ performance, service playing, and improvisation, he has also founded the annual National High School Organ Competition, organizes annual study trips (Paris in 2024, Boston in 2025, Germany in 2026) and performance opportunities at prestigious venues for his studio (St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. John the Divine in New York, First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston…), and directs Baylor’s Summer Organ Camp.
“A leading professor of organ” (The American Organist), Korndörfer is frequently invited as guest teacher at universities such as the Curtis Institute of Music, Rice University, Ewha University in Seoul, the Hochschule für Musik Saar in Saarbrücken, and the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Previously, he taught at Georgia State University (2017-23) and Agnes Scott College (2014-19). Korndörfer has released five CDs on major instruments in France, Japan, Canada, and the USA. Most recently, Korndörfer’s collection of 10 festive hymn introductions and re-harmonizations was published by MorningStar Music.
As Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta (2012-23), Korndörfer directed the renovation and revoicing of the Klais/Schlueter sanctuary organ (IV/112). He also rebranded FPC’s Concerts @ First series successfully and expanded it from 4 to 18 concerts per season, collaborated with major arts organizations in Atlanta, and raised awareness for minorities in the classical arts scene.
A top-honor graduate from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, the Oberlin Conservatory, the Musikhochschule in Bayreuth, and McGill University in Montreal, Korndörfer’s teachers include Olivier Latry, Michel Bouvard, James David Christie, and Ludger Lohmann. In the 2005/06 season, he served as organist in residence at the Concert Hall Kitara in Sapporo, giving concerts all over Japan, teaching, and recording his first CD.
Korndörfer has won numerous prizes and awards, including from the Canadian International Organ Competition, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Oberlin Conservatory, and the Government of Quebec.
He is represented by Karen McFarlane Artists in North America. More information is available at www.jenskorndoerfer.com