Organ Concert at the Jerusalem Center

This evening I attended an organ concert by Walter Whipple at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. This is my first visit to the center, which is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. Located on the top of Mount Scopus, the large arched windows of the center overlook the Old City. Outside the gardens are enclosed by a high wall, and there are about a half a dozen working olive presses on the grounds. Inside the meeting rooms and reception rooms are lofty and airy with beautiful woodwork throughout. There was an art show underway (as there always is). My wife, Julie, would have loved this one--quilts created by local Jerusalem artists (I attach one example, Jewel).

The highlight of the evening was the amazing organ concert put on by Walter Whipple, who is one of the service volunteers working at the center.

Walter Whipple is one of the kindest, most humble men I have ever met. But his amazing history belies his modesty. He studied organ from the age of 11, eventually studying with Alexander Schreiner. He eventually earned a Phd. in organ performance and for about two decades was a professor of organ at a University in Illinois, while also playing cello in the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. At age 40 he took a sabbatical to Poland, where he lived for a year learning to make violins. He returned for his academic career, but at age 50 changed careers and became a professor of Polish Language at BYU, where he finished his career.

Tonight he played a program of Bach, Mendelssohn and Franck. I include some sample videos of his playing.