ST. PAUL'S PRESENTS DEANNA RAY EBERHARD AND KURT KNECHT APRIL 16
By Vern Barnet, special to KC Arts Beat
I wonder if those folks in Leipzig in the second quarter of the 18th Century had any idea how extraordinary their director of church music was. I often have this thought when I am hearing music from Kurt Knecht, composer, organist, pianist, harpsichordist, and teacher at St Paul's Episcopal Church, 40th and Main, where I am a member. Knecht's range is remarkable -- medieval to jazz and beyond.
Kurt is part of the church's music program directed by Sam Anderson who has assembled an extraordinary choir filling most of the chancel. They offer classics, premieres, and commissioned music. As well as hosting musical groups from the Kansas City community, the church itself arranges performances open to the public.
For example, this Thursday, April 16 at 7pm, Deanna Ray Eberhard, mezzo-soprano and Knecht on the new Steinway piano, present two song cycles. Forrest Pierce's "The Wild Iris" with text by Lousie Glück is presented with commentary by Ian von Fange who has had personal contact with the poet. Knecht's "Das Studenbuch" are settings for Rilke's collection of the same name. The concert is free, but donations are accepted.
ST. PAUL’S PRESENTS DEANNA RAY EBERHARD, MEZZO-SOPRANO AND KURT KNECHT, PIANO APRIL 16 AT 7 PM.
The concert is free but donations will be gratefully accepted.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 11 E. 40th St. For more information about St. Paul’s: https://www.stpaulskcmo.org/