Mark Gresham | 19 JAN 2023
Only ten says ago, on January 8 of this year, First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta celebrated its 175th anniversary.
Founded in 1848, First Presbyterian is located at the corner of Peachtree and 16th Streets, next to the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown Atlanta. An urban church known for leadership in worship, spiritual formation, service, community relationships, and the arts, it became listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 29, 2020.
In recognition of the milestone, this week’s Earpiece features First Presbyterian’s magnificent Klais/Schlueter organ, IV/112 (2018), the result of a renovation and amelioration of the large 1992 Möller/Zimmer organ that was its most recent antecedent.
Award-winning German-born organist Dr. Jens Korndörfer has been First Presbyterian’s Director of Worship and the Arts and Organist since September 2012. In October 2013, Korndörfer contacted Johannes Klais Orgelbau in Bonn, Germany, to develop the sanctuary organ’s renovation program, and in 2018 renovation was completed. The A. E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company of Lithonia, Georgia, was chosen as a local partner to ensure future maintenance.
Jens Korndörfer (credit: Julia Dokter)
Prior to his arrival at First Presbyterian, Korndörfer earned his Doctor of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. This month, like the church, he has also reached a new milestone in his professional career. Nationally ranked Baylor University in Waco, Texas, has appointed Korndörfer as its incoming Associate Professor of Organ, where in August 2023 he will begin directing their organ program, teaching private lessons, and presenting one organ-related seminar per term.
“Baylor has a long-standing, well-reputed organ program,” says Korndörfer, “and I’m quite excited to take it over.” First Presbyterian Church will begin a search for his successor soon.
The video playlist below features five of the recordings Korndörfer has made since the organ’s inauguration in 2018: three of solo organ, one with trumpets, and one with full symphony orchestra. A description of the organ can be found on the organ builder’s website. ■
Organ: Klais/Schlueter, IV/112 (2018)
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, GA – USA
Total duration: 36:16
Jens Korndörfer, organ
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,
Stephen Mulligan, conductor
Duration: 5:26
Jens Korndörfer, organ
Duration: 1:53
Jens Korndörfer, organ
Stuart Stephenson, trumpet
Michael Tiscione, trumpet
Duration: 6:05
Jens Korndörfer, organ
Duration: 5:09
Jens Korndörfer, organ
Duration: 17:43
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Jens Korndörfer: jenskorndoerfer.com
- First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta: firstpresatl.org
Read more by Mark Gresham.
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