Pulling Out the Stops
Oberlin is known throughout the world for its outstanding organ collection—and for its outstanding organists. BY DANIEL HATHAWAY
though they are not particularly familiar to the general public, the names Tariverdiev, de Manchicourt, Sweelinck, and Chartres command an imposing reputation in the world of international organ playing. Over the span of a year, a trio of Oberlin organ students took part in these competitions across Europe—and each one brought home a major prize. Add to that an Oberlin sweep of frst and second place at the respected Taylor Organ Competition in Atlanta this spring. It was a year like no other in Oberlin history, and it underscored the conservatory’s continued prominence in the training of young organists. Te students’ teacher, Professor James David Christie ’75, is a giant in international organ circles. A winner of both the frst prize and the audience prize at the Bruges International Organ Competition in Belgium, he has served on the jury of more than 50 organ competitions—including all three of his students’ international competitions last year. “Te frst thing I ask when a competition jury meets for the frst time is whether we should disqualify ourselves if we have a student in the competition,” the jovial Christie says. “Tere’s nothing I hate worse than that nonsense about Well, his teacher was on the jury, so he won. Frequently, my students have been tossed out in the frst round—and more ofen than not, tossed out by me! All I care about is that the best person wins.” Whatever the outcome, Christie never accepts credit for his students’ performances. His message to each one: “Te only person who can win this competition is you.” 48