Free performance celebrates Jordan Concert Organ

As the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts gears up for its 10th anniversary this season, Legacy Hall's Jordan Concert Organ also celebrates 10 years.

A special concert "Four Hands/Four Feet" is set for 4 p.m. Sunday. The concert's name reveals a special twist for the performance. Each piece of music will be performed by two organists. Their feet resemble those of dancers as they play the organ.

The organ, built by the Orgues Létourneau Limité of Quebec, Canada, features almost 3,600 pipes with three manuals, 57 stops and 63 ranks.

It weighs more than 40,000 pounds. It was assembled inside Legacy Hall after the hall was completed.

It's named for the late G. Gunby Jordan II, who was a noted public servant of the local communities. His love of organ music and opera helped create programs at Columbus State University.

Rick McKnight, who was on RiverCenter's board as the complex was being built, is St. Thomas Episcopal Church's organist and couldn't wait to play the Jordan Concert Organ.

In the 10 years since those first concerts, he's had several opportunities to play the organ.

The difference in this Létourneau organ is mechanical, he said.

"The console is connected to the organ," he explained. "When you press a key, it literally moves the stopper that moves the air in the pipes. You have more control."

McKnight said he and Columbus State University Schwob School of Music's professor of organ Joseph Golden "cooked up" the concert to be part of the 10th anniversary celebration.

"I didn't want a boring concert that was just for organists," McKnight said. "This is all about making friends for the organ."

The hour-long program is free.

Other organists include Janie Lee Bullock and Nancy McGee of First Baptist Church, Rose Slonaker of Edgewood Presbyterian, Paul Culp of St. Mark's Episcopal in LaGrange, Adelyn Scott and Zack Wright of St. Luke United Methodist, Aesook Lim of First Methodist in Dothan, Ala., Sue Dietrich of St. Paul United Methodist, Ken Bailey of St. Mark United Methodist, Tom and Denise Bernard of Holy Family Catholic and Jack Buchanan of Wynnton Methodist.

Patrons will be able to hear jazz, classical music and the finale, "Stars and Stripes Forever." The finale will feature two organists and McKnight, who will be "assisting."

"There is not a piece of Bach in sight," McKnight promised. "This not your grandmother's organ recital. It's for regular people who don't have to like organ music or church music. It will be fun."

He said it should be a fun concert for everyone, even "geeky organ" fans.

McKnight is frequently seen in RiverCenter, attending concerts.

But the one that stands out in his mind is when Notre-Dame's (in Paris, not South Bend, Ind.) Olivier Latry came to play the Jordan Concert Organ.

"I turned pages for him that night," McKnight said. "It (the fact that Latry came to Columbus) attracted a lot of attention from the organ world."

This story was originally published August 9, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Free performance celebrates Jordan Concert Organ."