Breathing Life, And Fire, Into Organ Music

Paul Jacobs, chairman of the organ department at the Juilliard School, says he wants “to draw attention to an instrument that is sorely misunderstood and neglected by the mainstream of classical music.” He scoffs at organists who demand historically correct playing at the expense of artistic interpretation. “‘Part of me thinks: “Who ordained you?'” he says. “We need musicians who can promote their work with fire and conviction.”