John Karl Hirten

John Karl Hirten regularly performs organ recitals in the Bay Area, including monthly programs at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. He is Director of Music at St. Stephen's Church in Belvedere, an accompanist for the San Francisco Boys Chorus, and a composer.

Articles by this Author

Ranking French Mastery - Review
February 22, 2010

The Parisian titular organist holds a special — some would say even exalted — place in the hearts and minds of organ fans. Indeed, few musicians are subjected to the depth of training, not to mention the crucible of exams and competitions, which such a musician endures to attain the post of, say, Organiste Titulaire at the historic church of Saint-Séverin, where Christophe Mantoux presides.

Conducting the Organ - Review
April 27, 2009

Paul Jacobs is the first organist in several generations who, by the sheer breadth of his accomplishments alone, has managed to restore the public perception of the organ as a viable concert instrument.

Color Artist at the Keys - Review
February 17, 2009

While he was alive, Max Reger enjoyed considerable popularity as a composer of chamber and orchestral works, but since his untimely death in 1916, he has been sparsely represented in concert halls. Not so with his organ music.

Top-Rank Organ Playing - Review
April 1, 2008

The composer Ned Rorem once said that he didn't particularly enjoy going to organ recitals, because the live acoustics in churches prevented him from properly hearing the music. He thought that other organists, who are used to hearing through the acoustical fog, mostly made up the audiences for these recitals.

Racing Bach - Review
January 15, 2008

The nice thing about living in 21st-century California is that people find gods for everything and in every place. Take J.S. Bach, for instance. He’s a god of music if ever there was one and, as every god should, he has a high priest.
At least, that’s what it says in Anthony Newman’s bio. The organist, who played a recital at Grace Cathedral on Saturday, has been dubbed the high priest of Bach by no less a musician than Wynton Marsalis.