Clavichordist Kevin Birch at Oasis of Music at the Basilica

According to wikipedia, The clavichord is a Western European stringed rectangular keyboard instrument that was used largely in the Late Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical eras. Historically, it was mostly used as a practice instrument and as an aid to composition, not being loud enough for larger performances. The clavichord produces sound by striking brass or iron strings with small metal blades called tangents. Vibrations are transmitted through the bridge(s) to the soundboard.  Birch will be showcasing this In Celebration of a new clavichord by Martin Kather (2020) fashioned  after an illustration in Michael Praetorius’   Syntagma Musica (1619),  and perform the music of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and Friends. 

Kevin Birch holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Iowa with previous studies at New England Conservatory in Boston and the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. Since 1992 he has served as Director of Music at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bangor, Maine, where he also serves as Executive Director of St. John’s Organ Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of E. & G. G. Hook’s Opus 288 built for St. John’s in 1860.  Kevin is a member of the music faculty at the University of Maine’s School of the Performing Arts in Orono and serves on the Liturgical Commission for the Diocese of Portland. He has performed solo recitals in the US, Canada, Europe, and in South America, and for several national conventions of the Organ Historical Society.  He is especially devoted to the many fine historic organs in Maine on which he enjoys frequent opportunities to study and perform.  He is a member of the Netherlands Clavichord Society and the Boston Clavichord Society.  

The Oasis of Music is a weekly music series of short performances of roughly thirty minutes in length, running from September to May.  Admission is free, with donations accepted.   The musical genres vary greatly, in largely, but not exclusively, acoustic formats. Covid restrictions of optional mask-wearing and social distancing are observed.  For more information call 344-3106.