Pulling out all the stops, Kansas City organ music festival celebrates its 10th year

Patrick Neas

Ten years ago, Mario Pearson, principal organist and music director for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, was attending Bachathon at Kansas City’s other downtown cathedral, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Hearing Bach’s music inspired Pearson to start his own annual festival, but this one devoted to the rich repertoire of French organ music.

The French Organ Music Festival, sponsored by the Kansas City chapter of the American Guild of Organists, will celebrate its 10th anniversary at 2 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Some of the area’s finest organists will play music by Louis Vierne, Charles-Marie Widor, César Franck and other great French composers for three hours. The concert is free and you can attend as much of it as you’d like.

One can understand why Pearson thought Immaculate Conception’s Rufatti organ would be ideal to showcase the French repertoire. Besides its 50 ranks of pipes, the instrument includes digital samples of of the St. Sulpice and Notre Dame organs, the large symphonic organs for which 19th century composers like Vierne and Widor composed their mighty organ symphonies.

Before starting the festival, Pearson ran the idea by his trusty colleagues, John Schaefer, former principal organist for Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, and freelance organist Claudette Schiratti.

“I still think back to 2011 when I was dreaming up this idea,” Pearson said. “I knew that if John and Claudette, with their experience and renown with the arts community, supported the festival, it had the opportunity to go somewhere. And here we are now 10 years later.”

The console of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’s Rufatti pipe organ.
The console of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’s Rufatti pipe organ.

Indeed, the festival has grown in popularity, and even Mayor Quinton Lucas has declared Aug. 28, 2022, French Organ Music Festival Day.

“That’s another honor and more support for the festival, but also a larger echo for celebrating the arts in Kansas City,” Pearson said.

Pearson won’t be performing at the festival but has instead lined up other superb organists who will try their hands (and feet) on the Rufatti organ. They’ll how off the instrument’s remarkable variety of colors by playing works by composers like Marcel Dupré, Charles Tournemire and Camille Saint-Saëns. At 3:30 p.m., as a centerpiece to the festival, there will be a work for choir and organ, the Messe Solenelle by Jean Langlais.

“John Schaefer recommended the Messe Solenelle, so I listened to a YouTube recording, and just fell in love with the piece,” Pearson said. “It’s typical Langlais with a lovely energy and lushness.”

Langlais was strongly influenced by Gregorian chant, and plainchant melodies can be heard throughout his Messe Solenelle.

“I thought for this festival let’s have a combined choir experience,” Pearson said. “I have a very talented cathedral schola, and Tom Vozzella has a very talented choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, so I thought this would be a perfect marriage. Tom graciously agreed to conduct, and our colleague Jacob Hofeling, who is just a brilliant organist, agreed to accompany on the organ.”

As is tradition, Grammy-nominated organist Jan Kraybill will cap off the French Organ Music Festival.
As is tradition, Grammy-nominated organist Jan Kraybill will cap off the French Organ Music Festival.

It’s been a tradition for organ superstar Jan Kraybill to conclude the festival, and this year is no exception.

“God bless Jan Kraybill,’ Pearson said. “She’s such a brilliant organist and such a great friend. She’s going to close the program with one of my favorites, Maurice Duruflé’s Prelude and Fugue on the Name Alain. There’s something about the piece that just stirs my soul. It’s mournful but it’s also hopeful. It will be an absolutely rousing ending to the afternoon.”

Pearson will once again be utilizing technology to enhance appreciation of the music.

With 50 ranks of pipes, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’s Rufatti organ showcases the French repertoire.
With 50 ranks of pipes, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’s Rufatti organ showcases the French repertoire.

“I have a wonderful technical team that makes sure the audience can see what’s happening at the organ console and also get some background information about the composers and the pieces that they’re hearing,” Pearson said. “As a former educator, I understand the value of providing opportunities to draw your audience deeper into the experience. Having a full and immersive experience reaches people on a deeper level.”

There won’t be a French café this year, but Pearson has something special planned in its stead.

“Since it’s the 10th anniversary of the festival, we’re just going to have a big reception afterwards,” he said. “We’ll gather in Donnelly Hall across from the cathedral, and we’ll have some French-inspired finger foods. We’ve really dreamed big for this festival because we’re delighted that the community continues to attend and support the event.”

Tom Vozzella leads the choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Tom Vozzella leads the choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

French Organ Music Festival schedule

Aug. 28, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 416 W. 12th St. Free. kcago.com/french-fest.

2 p.m.: Beth Loeber Elswick, organist

2:30 p.m.: Paul Meier, organist

3 p.m.: Ken Walker, organ; Margaret Kocher, cello

3:30 p.m.: Cathedral Schola and St. Andrews choirs, Tom Vozzella, conductor; Jacob Hofeling, organist

4 p.m.: Kurt Knecht, organist

4:30 p.m.: Jan Kraybill, organist

You can reach Patrick Neas at patrickneas@kcartsbeat.com and follow his Facebook page, KC Arts Beat, at www.facebook.com/kcartsbeat.

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