06/03/2026
On June 3, 2026, our Wednesday afternoon guest organist, Dr. Hab. Michael Szostak explores a wide range of musical styles, from the grandeur of the Baroque to the colors of Spain and the spontaneity of improvisation.
The recital opens with the Prelude, Fugue and Ciaccona in C major, BuxWV 137 by Dietrich Buxtehude, a dramatic and virtuosic work combining brilliant passages, intricate counterpoint, and the repeating bass pattern of the ciaccona. An improvised Italian Concerto follows in three movements — Allegro, Andante, and Presto — inspired by the energy, lyricism, and contrasts of the Italian musical tradition.
The program continues with Asturias (Leyenda) from Suite española, Op. 47 by Isaac Albéniz, a vivid and passionate evocation of Spanish guitar music, famous for its driving rhythms and haunting melodies. The recital concludes with an improvised American Suite — Prelude, Cantabile, and Final — blending lyrical expression and festive brilliance in a tribute to American musical styles.
ABOUT
Dr Habil. Michał Szostak, Associate Professor - obtained a doctorate in musical arts, specializing in organ performance and improvisation at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. He also studied at the Pontificio Istituto Ambrosiano di Musica Sacra in Milan (Italy) and The Royal College of Organists (London).
He participated in many master classes in organ performance (Ullrich Böhme, Andrew Dewar, Pieter van Dijk, François Espinasse, Bernhard Gfrerer, François-Henri Houbart, Oliver Penin, Louis Robilliard, Daniel Roth, Jean-Claude Zehnder and others), organ improvisation (Frédéric Blanc, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Thierry Escaich, Gaétan Jarry, Samuel Liégeon, Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrard, Wolfgang Seifen, Sietze de Vries and others) and liturgical music (Roman Catholic and Anglican). He recorded several CDs and has been publishing in renowned British, Canadian, and American periodicals. As a musician-instrumentalist, he conducts lively international concert activities, performing several dozen recitals annually in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
