Nathaniel Gumbs

Organ Recital

Nathaniel Gumbs honed his musical craft learning to play by ear in his Baptist church in the Bronx, sneaking in on Saturday nights to teach himself how to play the church’s organ. Now as Director of Chapel Music at Yale University, Gumbs champions traditional spirituals, underperformed Black composers, and more.

“I feel I have the entire symphonic orchestra in the palm of my hands and feet and create those various colors, from a whisper to an ear-splitting roar!” Gumbs says. See and hear what happens when he returns to play Walt Disney Concert Hall’s mighty 6,134-pipe organ.

Program

• Joseph Bonnet — Variations de Concert, Op. 1
• GERSHWIN (trans. Nathaniel Gumbs) — Overture and Summertime from Porgy and Bess
• Stephen Kennedy — Toccata
• TRADITIONAL (arr. BONDS, trans. Nathaniel Gumbs) — “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand”
• BRADBURY (arr. William BOLCOM) — “Sweet Hour of Prayer”
• Carlos Simon — Meditation of Faith from Good News Mass
• Marcel Dupré — Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23