Thomas Wikman Reviews
Thomas Wikman at the Chicago Theological Seminary (cont 2)
RECOMMENDED
May 18, 2005
By M.L. Rantala, Classical Music Critic, Hyde Park Herald
Wikman has performed in nearly 400 Hyde Park organ recitals thus far in his career. Our neighborhood has a history of
nurturing great organists, with some famous players of the past including Leo Sowerby (one of Wikman's teachers), Robert
Rayfield, Max Janowski, Edward Mondello and Mack Evans. Heinrich Fleischer and Wolfgang Rübsam also performed regularly
in the neighborhood but didn't live here.
Wikman's noontime organ recitals are unusual in organ performance. Some institutions offer regular recitals, but with a
different keyboardist each week. The Mormon Tabernacle even offers daily recitals but the performers are a rotating staff
of organists.
Wikman has toured Europe (he made his European debut in 1992) and played on organs throughout the continent. And he has
brought many foreign organists to Hyde Park to perform on the seminary's admirable organ.
The weekly CTS recitals begin at 12:30 p.m. at 5757 S. University Ave. Catch one soon, because June 3 is the last
performance before a summer break. Wikman will once again be off to Europe, ready to take on some of the greatest
organs in the world.
