Episode No. 47. Saturday, October 6, 2018 Michael Hey, Concert Organist and Associate Director of Music and Organist, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City and Concert Violinist Christiana Liberis
This episode of Music From The Tower features brilliant young organist, Michael Hey. He is often described as “scintillating” and “tremendously virtuosic” (The Straits Times, Singapore, 2016). This fantastic concert organist Michael Hey has been increasingly visible on U.S. and international concert stages.
In September 2017, Michael received first prize in the First Shanghai Conservatory of Music International Organ Competition, held at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Theater. Released in October 2017, Michael’s premiere solo CD recording Michael T. C. Hey plays the Great Organ of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York is available for purchase by the JAV recording label.
In 2016 and 2017, Michael appeared with the San Francisco Symphony and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas in Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Organ with Percussion Orchestra. In 2014 he was the featured organ soloist for the New York City Ballet’s newly commissioned work Acheron. Set to the music of Francis Poulenc’s Organ Concerto, his performance at its premiere was “vividly played” (The New York Times). Michael has also performed at notable venues such as Lincoln Center (New York), Carnegie Hall (New York), Madison Square Garden (New York), the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), the Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), the Esplanade (Singapore), and the New World Symphony (Miami).
Not exclusively a solo organist, Michael enjoys a varied career that includes collaborations with other musicians, solo piano recitals, improvising, and transcribing works. He has performed with renowned soloists including soprano Renée Fleming, tenor Matthew Polenzani, and mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard. In 2016 he recorded an anthology with baritone Tim Krol entitled Robert Franz: Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Songs.
Also featured on this program is virtuoso violinist Christiana Liberis. Michael has been performing duos for organ or piano with Christiana. You will enjoy a few on this program. You will hear all about Christiana’s amazing career with performances from Carnegie Hall to television, to concert tours with Earth Wind and Fire!! Together they are a spectacular Duo!!
In 2015 Michael was appointed Associate Director of Music and Organist of the famed Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, where one of his first major tasks was to perform for the first U.S. visit of Pope Francis. Michael plays at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for services throughout the week, which can be heard on Sirius XM radio, television, and online.
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Michael graduated from the accelerated five-year degree program at The Juilliard School where he received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in organ performance under Paul Jacobs. He is represented in North America exclusively by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, LLC. http://www.christianaliberis.com www.michaelhey.com
MUSIC: The Dancing Pipes Jonathan Dove. Michael Hey, organist
MUSIC: Allemande from D minor Violin Partita No 2 Johann Sebastian Bach. Christiana Liberis, violinist
MUSIC. Capriccio for violin and organ Naji Hakim Christiana Liberis, violinist, Michael Hey, Organist
MUSIC: Pavane pour une infante defunte Maurice Ravel. Christiana Liberis, violinist, Michael Hey, Organist
MUSIC: Praeludium and Allegro Fritz Kreisler Christiana Liberis, violinist, Michael Hey, Organist