Now available:



Robert Clark
plays the Brombaugh Organ, Opus 35
at First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Illinois

Robert Clark's recording of music by Johann Sebastian Bach on the Brombaugh Organ, Opus 35, is available through Arsis Audio, or through the church office (217-528-4311).

A personal note from Robert Clark
Preparing a recording of Bach organ works presents a challenge as well as a paradox. This music virtually defines that which is permanent and enduring, superceding the many perceptions of style and tradition that have colored the performance of these works since the mid-18th century. On the other hand, I find that Bach's organ works, despite the level of knowledge and scholarship we think we have achieved, present surprises and suggest new perceptions every time we rethink and review them. Thus a Bach recording serves only as a document reflecting the current state of scholarship and style, as well as the performer's will to communicate the grandeur of the music. These continuously change and grow so long as the performer, scholar and musical public look honestly at the music, reflecting upon its meaning historically and in modern context.

I would like to thank especially Nichol DelGiorno, Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Illinois, and Rudolf Zuiderveld, organist of the church, for their generous support in making this recording possible. I am indebted to Peter Van Eenam who served as my personal session manager throughout the recording. The builder of the organ, John Brombaugh, supported our efforts by being constantly available for tuning and regulation during the recording sessions. Jonathan Wearn, whose rich experience in recording many artists, is an artist in his own right, who uses recording technology as a means toward the end of making music happen with clarity of detail and expert manipulation of space and acoustics. All of this makes it possible to move into the new realm of SACD recording.

Finally, this recording is offered as a tribute to the builder of the Springfield organ, John Brombaugh, who has challenged hosts of musicians, teachers, and organbuilders throughout his long career. Indeed, his instruments, like great music, continue to challenge the player to find renewed meaning and expressive content in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, his favorite composer.


Biography of the musical artist
Robert Clark is widely known as an organ recitalist and teacher. Formerly Professor of Organ at the University of Michigan from 1964-1981, he directed the program of organ instruction at Arizona State University from 1981 until his retirement in 1998. In 1982 Clark served on the international jury for the Grand Prix de Chartres, an international competition for young organists. He has appeared as a concert organist in North America and Europe and is a frequent presenter at conferences and conventions. He is, with John David Peterson, co-editor of the highly acclaimed Concordia edition of the Bach's Orbelbüchlein.

His students have won or placed in major competitions including Fort Wayne, Flint, St. Alban's, and the American Guild of Organists. In 1990 he was a featured teacher at the National Pedagogy Conference of the American Guild of Organists in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1992 Clark, in cooperation with Westfield Center for Early Keyboard Studies, was instrumental in directing a symposium, "The Historical Organ in America," at Arizona State University, which drew 350 organists, organbuilders and scholars from North America, Asia, and Europe.

Clark has recorded on the Gryphone and Calcante labels. Two of his recordings were nominated for "critic's choice" awards in 1999 in the American Record Guide. His recent recording, Bach at Naumberg was named an "editor's choice" in the British journal, Organists' Review, and was listed as one of the "best of 2002" in the Goldberg Early Music Magazine.