“Mixing virtuosity with humour, Michael Dirk is both an exceptional musician and a somewhat obsessive student of keyboard chronology — a winning combination, as far as I’m concerned.”
– Georgia Straight

The second concert of Ryerson’s Sundays at 3 organ recital series features a Valentine’s day performance by organist Michael Dirk in a program that focuses on love – found, lost, celebrated – or unrequited. There’s even a silent movie to send you home with a smile. As Dirk explains, “What better way to spend the day than going to an organ concert with a bonus movie – right?”

Highlights include the Sinfonia from JS Bach’s Wedding Cantata, Brahms’ Schmucke dich, Sweelinck’s Balleto del granduca, and Schumann’s Canon in b minor, plus works by Guilment and Rathgerber. All of these have a connection to the love theme, as Michael will explain throughout the performance.
Improvised accompaniment to Charlie Chaplin’s silent movie Those Love Pangs closes the program on a wave of laughter.

Michael Dirk began playing the organ for church 20 years ago, which lead to performance music degrees from UBC (2004) and The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University Texas (2009) where he served as the graduate assistant to Clyde Holloway. He has toured the grand organs of London, Paris, and Leipzig, while having studied the art of theatre organ with NY Radio City organist Robert MacDonald. Michael has performed as soloist for the VSO, MusicFest Vancouver 2012, 2010 RCCO National Convention, and the 2008 Association of Anglican Musician’s National Convention while being in demand as conductor, clinician, and educator. Away from the bench he’s sailing in English Bay or ballroom dancing with his wife – Percussionist Annabelle Ip.