Jean-Louis Florentz (1947-2004) has been called possibly the most significant French composer for the organ since Messiaen. Called "the musician from elsewhere," his music evokes the sounds, sites, religions, and cultures of Africa, all while staying firmly rooted in the French symphonic tradition. Though he left us only four organ pieces, they deserve a permanent place of honor in our repertory. We will hear recorded selections from his organ works, correlative passages from his orchestral works, as well as Ethiopian liturgical chant and other sounds which inspired this composer, supplemented by spoken commentaries and written handouts.

Timothy Tikker is College Organist at Kalamazoo College, Adjunct Professor of Organ at Eastern Michigan University, and Organist and Schola Gregoriana Director at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Ann Arbor, MI. Assisted by a Ruth Lorraine Close Award from the University of Oregon, he studied with Jean Langlais, who called him "one of the most gifted temperaments I have ever encountered." He won first prize in the San Anselmo Improvisation Competition in 1987, has recorded for the Arkay, OHS and Raven labels, and is a DMA student in Organ at the University of Michigan. In 2007 he gave the first U.S. performance of Florentz' "Debout sur le Soleil."