Recital: Kai Krakenberg – organ

The Programme

Kai Krakenberg – organ

from the Plymouth Suite
1. Allegro risoluto
2. Lantana
4. Salix
5. Toccata

from La Nativité du Seigneur (The birth of the Lord)
2. Les bergers (The shepherds)
9. Dieu parmi nous (God among us)

The Artist

Kai Krakenberg was born in 1970 in Essen, where he also grew up, and attended school and music college. From 1982-1992 Kai was a student of Heiner Graßt, who was his only organ teacher before he began his studies. He was already an extra-official organist in the ninth grade in Essen-Kray. He held this position until shortly before his A-Exams in 1997. He studied sacred music (organ, piano and conducting) at the Folkwang-College of Music in Essen with Professors Gisbert Schneider and Gerd Zacher, and he successfully completed his A-Exams and received his degree in 1997. During his studies, he was Professor Schneider’s assistant. During his studies, he took part in many fellowships and courses both in Germany and abroad (Northern Germany, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Italy, and the USA) with internationally renowned organists.

From 1997-2000 Kai was the music director at the Lutheran Garnison Church and from 2000-2005 he was the music director at Bergstedt Church, Hamburg. Since April of 2005, Kai has been the music director, cantor and organist at the city church of St Mary in Husum, where Nicolaus Bruhns was also the director. In addition, he is the music director for the church district and the director of the Church Music School.

Kai has played Bach’s complete organ works in 28 concerts at St Mary’s, Husum. In addition, his personal interest focuses on the works of the northern German school as well as the great organ works of German, French and Anglo-Saxon / American composers. As an organist, he has given concerts in almost every European country as well as in Russia, Asia, the United States and Canada.

Kai has released a number of CD’s with American, English, French and Scandinavian composers and Messiaen’s ‘La Nativité du Seigneur’.