FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2000 CONTACT: Carl Staplin, (515) 271-2699 or 225-2852 Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 CARL STAPLIN TO PRESENT 'THE ART OF J.S. BACH' Carl Staplin, professor of organ and church music at Drake University, will give the first in a series of five recitals presenting J.S. Bach's major organ masterpieces at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave. The series, titled "The Art of J.S. Bach," commemorates the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. Staplin devoted his sabbatical to preparing for the five recitals. "To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time in Des Moines that a series of Bach organ recitals have been given by one person," Staplin said. "Of course, there have been 'Bachathons' involving many organists playing." In the first recital, Staplin will perform with the First Christian Chancel Choir, directed by Ben Allaway. The program includes Fantasia in G Major, Trio Sonata #5 in C Major, Prelude and Fugue in A Major, Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor, and three of the "Leipzig" chorale preludes. Admission is free to all recitals in the series, which will continue with Recital #2 on Sunday, April 2, in the Hall of Performing Arts in the Harmon Fine Arts Center, 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue. Assisted by members of the Drake Choir, directed by Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Staplin will perform all of the major compositions from one of Bach's greatest keyboard collections, the monumental Clavierübung, Part 3 ("German Organ Mass") including the great Prelude and Fugue in E-flat Major and all of the larger chorale preludes. Staplin will give this same recital in Minneapolis and Philadelphia this spring. He has recorded all of these works on a CD released by Calcante Recordings, Ltd., of Ithaca, New York. Recital #3 is set for 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Hall of Performing Arts in the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Assisted by members of the Drake Choir, Staplin will perform Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, Prelude and Fugue in D Major, Prelude and Fugue in B Minor, and six of the "Leipzig" chorale preludes. Recital #4 will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, in St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1115 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, with the assistance of the Chancel Choir, directed by Karen Ullestad. The program will feature Prelude and Fugue in G Major, Trio Sonata #1 in E-flat Major, Toccata and Fugue in F Major, and six of the "Leipzig" chorale preludes. The final recital in the series will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Ave., Clive. Assisted by the Chancel Choir, directed by Eric Dale Knapp, Staplin will perform Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor, Pastorale in F Major, Trio Sonata #2 in C Minor, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, and three of the "Leipzig" chorale preludes.