The new Evening Canticles setting celebrates the 60th anniversary of St. Luke's Organ—one of the finest instruments of its kind in the U.S.

Atlanta, Ga. (Jan. 17, 2024) — On Sunday, Feb. 11, St. Luke’s Atlanta will host the world premiere of Dr. David Hurd’s newest composition the Evening Canticles, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, for choir and organ. Dr. Hurd, who is widely recognized and admired as one of the foremost concert organists, sacred music composers, and church musicians in the U.S. will be at St. Luke’s for the premiere.

“It is a tremendous honor for our music program to host David Hurd,” said St. Luke’s Music Director Matthew Brown. “The music he has composed for the Episcopal Church is timeless and resonates in worshipping communities across the world. I am grateful to bring his new creation to life at St. Luke’s.”

The commissioned music is made possible through the generous support of St. Luke’s Rector the Rev. Winnie Varghese, in honor of Elizabeth Toledo. St. Luke’s Alston Memorial Organ is widely acknowledged as one of the finest organs in the U.S. and is regularly featured in recital by internationally acclaimed concert artists.

“St. Luke’s has a vibrant history of hosting world class musicians, and it is a priority for our church and its members to celebrate the arts,” said the Rev. Varghese. “It is critical to our work at St. Luke’s to invite the community to experiences such as this.”

The premiere of Dr. Hurd’s composition will be directed by Mr. Brown and accompanied by St. Luke’s Assistant Organist Ben Weaver. The event will take place at 4 p.m., and will be live streamed at stlukesatlanta.org/live.

Also on Feb. 11, Dr. Hurd will lead a conversation with Mr. Brown and the Rev. Varghese at 10:15 a.m. as part of St. Luke’s Sunday Forum series. The forum will focus on Dr. Hurd’s life and career, his creative process, and thoughts on the future of music in The Episcopal Church.

The service of Choral Evensong and the Forum event are both free and open to the public.

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About St. Luke's Atlanta

St. Luke's Atlanta, a parish in The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street. St. Luke’s has a rich history of service and social justice activism in the community.

St. Luke's music program is dedicated to enriching the spiritual and cultural life of the community through the celebration and exploration of music in the Episcopal tradition. With a focus on excellence, diversity, and innovation, Music at St. Luke's seeks to inspire and uplift all who engage with its musical offerings.

About David Hurd: A Distinguished Composer and Renowned Organist

David Hurd is a distinguished figure in the world of church music and concert organists in the United States. With a career spanning over four decades, he has received numerous awards, prizes, and honors for his exceptional contributions to the field. A faculty member at The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City from 1976 to 2015, Dr. Hurd's impact on church music has been profound. He is widely recognized for his compositions, including hymns, choral works, and organ pieces, many of which are featured in hymnals across various denominations.

Dr. Hurd's performances have captivated audiences worldwide. From winning the 1977 International Congress of Organists to being featured at conventions and festivals, his virtuosity and musical insight have earned him acclaim from critics and peers alike.

For more information about David Hurd, visit his website.

For more information about the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and its music department, visit https://www.stmvirgin.org/music-department

Media Contacts

Elizabeth McKinnon
Director of Communications
St. Luke’s Atlanta
mckinnon@stlukesatlanta.org