Mayfair Organ Concert: John Kitchen

Today's Mayfair Organ Concert is given by John Kitchen (Edinburgh), who will perform the following programme:

Michel Corrette - Magnificat en a Mi la 3♯
Krebs - Fantasia à gusto Italiano KrebsWV 422
Krebs - Organ Choral ’O Ewigkeit du Donnerwort’ KrebsWV 542
Krebs - Fugue on B-A-C-H KrebsWV 434
Handel - Athalia Overture HWV 52
Joseph Bonnet - Chant sans paroles
Joseph Callaerts - Toccata in E minor Op. 29

John Kitchen is an organist, harpsichordist, pianist, continuo player, accompanist, choral director, lecturer, writer, reviewer, adjudicator and recording artist. He was educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Cambridge. Following twelve years as a Lecturer in Music and University Organist in St Andrews (1976–1988), he was appointed Senior Lecturer in Music in the University of Edinburgh. He was a very active member of the Music Department there from 1988 until 2014, when he retired from university teaching; however, he retains the post of University Organist. He also directed the Edinburgh University Singers for 30 years, until 2018.

John is currently Director of Music at Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, and Edinburgh City Organist with performing and curatorial duties at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. He also teaches harpsichord at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh. He maintains a close association with Edinburgh University’s St Cecilia’s Hall and the early keyboard instruments there, most of which he has recorded for the Edinburgh-based label, Delphian Records. He has also made many organ recordings, including three on the Usher Hall organ. In 2017 he was awarded an MBE for services to music.