Review: Cathedral Concert Series – Organist Moon Shines Brightly

In a concert that brought not only musical drama but real-life drama, organist Byongsuk Moon delivered a masterful performance to officially christen the Casavant Frères Pipe Organ, Opus 3927 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Seated at a console in the front of the sanctuary, the capacity audience was able to watch Moon’s athletic footwork and facile hands throughout. And the sound was well worth the six-year wait for the organ installation to be complete.

After a ceremonial rendering of Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Moon politely removed his suit coat in preparation for what can only be described as the musical gymnastics to follow. The iconic opening of J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor precipitated a palpable ripple of excitement throughout the sacred space. Moon’s execution was technically flawless and musically stunning. His performance demonstrated every facet of the organ’s capabilities, but always with clarity and precision.

The work that most captured my attention was the one I was initially the least eager to hear – a phenomenon that is happening to me more frequently these days as I listen to unfamiliar repertoire. Petr Eben’s Finale from Sunday Music is a virtuosic tour de force – one that Moon handily mastered. The work showed a completely different side of the organ from the Bach, offering up fascinating sounds and textures. 

The real-life drama came during Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, wherein an organ malfunction forced Moon to stop playing. Personally, I thought my heart had stopped beating. It’s one of those moments in a live performance when you simply don’t know what to do. The audience sat silent and frozen as a representative of Casavant quickly analyzed the situation and then trekked up to the loft where the pipes are housed. 

Glenn Kahler, Director of Music and Liturgy, came to the podium and gave a helpful (and humorous) explanation of what was going on and asked us to please give them a few minutes. The audience politely (nervously) chatted while a stop-gap measure was put in place. 

When Dr. Moon returned to the organ bench, the thunderous applause that greeted him was clearly meant to show that we supported him, no matter what. I gripped my husband’s hand and whispered, “How do you go on after something like this?” to which he calmly responded, “Don’t worry, dear. He’s a professional.”

And how right he was. Moon delivered all the regal grandeur one wants in Pictures and then some. It was indeed a thrilling evening. Moon proved that even a technical glitch could not eclipse his brilliance.