George C. Baker
Encyclopedia
George C. Baker is an American
organist
, composer
, pedagogue, and dermatologist.
at Southern Methodist University
in Dallas in 1973 with a Bachelor's degree. In 1969, he won the Regional Competition, a year later the National Organ Competition of the American Guild of Organists
(AGO) in Buffalo, New York
, being the youngest winner in the competition's history.
Additional organ studies in France followed with Marie-Claire Alain
, André Marchal, Pierre Cochereau
, and Jean Langlais
. In 1974, Baker won the Grand Prix de Chartres
in organ performance.http://orgues.chartres.free.fr/agocp32.htm He obtained a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan
and joined the faculty of The Catholic University
in Washington, D.C.
In 1979, he was the recipient of the first prize at the International Organ Improvisation Competition in Lyon
, France. His recordings contain the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach
(the first by an American) and Louis Vierne
(together with Pierre Cochereau
), as well as the world premiere recording of the organ compositions of Darius Milhaud
, which was awarded two Grand Prix du Disque.
In addition to his musical career, George C. Baker obtained an M.D. degree from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 1987 and began to practice medicine in 1991, after an internship in Internal Medicine and Dermatology. In 1996, he entered the Executive M.B.A. program at Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, where he graduated with an M.B.A. degree in 1998. During this time, he was Adjunct Professor of organ performance and improvisation at Southern Methodist University, and also served as SMU Health Center dermatologist.
George C. Baker is in great international demand as concert organist and jury member of competitions. Currently, he is Associate University Organist at Perkins Chapel, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, pedagogue, and dermatologist.
Biography
George C. Baker received his first musical instruction at age four. In 1961, he began to take organ lessons with Phil Baker, organist at Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas. He completed his organ studies with Robert T. AndersonRobert T. Anderson (organist)
Robert Theodore Anderson was an American organist, composer and pedagogue.- Biography :He was born on October 5, 1934 in Chicago. He received his musical training at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois...
at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
in Dallas in 1973 with a Bachelor's degree. In 1969, he won the Regional Competition, a year later the National Organ Competition of the American Guild of Organists
American Guild of Organists
The American Guild of Organists, or AGO, is a national organization of academic, church, and concert organists in the U.S., headquartered in The Interchurch Center in New York City. It was founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization...
(AGO) in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, being the youngest winner in the competition's history.
Additional organ studies in France followed with Marie-Claire Alain
Marie-Claire Alain
Marie-Claire Alain is a French organist and organ teacher best known for her prolific recording career. She is particularly known for her ability to perform substantial works entirely from memory.-Background and education:...
, André Marchal, Pierre Cochereau
Pierre Cochereau
Pierre Eugène Charles Cochereau , was a French organist, improviser, composer, and pedagogue.- Biography :Pierre Cochereau was born on July 9, 1924 in Saint-Mandé, near Paris. In 1929, after a few months of violin instruction, he began to take piano lessons with Marius-François Gaillard...
, and Jean Langlais
Jean Langlais
Jean Langlais was a French composer of modern classical music, organist, and improviser.- Biography :Jean Langlais was born in La Fontenelle , a small village near Mont St Michel, France...
. In 1974, Baker won the Grand Prix de Chartres
Chartres
Chartres is a commune and capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. It is located southwest of Paris.-Geography:Chartres is built on the left bank of the Eure River, on a hill crowned by its famous cathedral, the spires of which are a landmark in the surrounding country...
in organ performance.http://orgues.chartres.free.fr/agocp32.htm He obtained a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and joined the faculty of The Catholic University
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 1979, he was the recipient of the first prize at the International Organ Improvisation Competition in Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
, France. His recordings contain the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
(the first by an American) and Louis Vierne
Louis Vierne
Louis Victor Jules Vierne was a French organist and composer.-Life:Louis Vierne was born in Poitiers, Vienne, nearly blind due to congenital cataracts, but at an early age was discovered to have an unusual gift for music. Louis Victor Jules Vierne (8 October 1870 – 2 June 1937) was a French...
(together with Pierre Cochereau
Pierre Cochereau
Pierre Eugène Charles Cochereau , was a French organist, improviser, composer, and pedagogue.- Biography :Pierre Cochereau was born on July 9, 1924 in Saint-Mandé, near Paris. In 1929, after a few months of violin instruction, he began to take piano lessons with Marius-François Gaillard...
), as well as the world premiere recording of the organ compositions of Darius Milhaud
Darius Milhaud
Darius Milhaud was a French composer and teacher. He was a member of Les Six—also known as The Group of Six—and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions are influenced by jazz and make use of polytonality...
, which was awarded two Grand Prix du Disque.
In addition to his musical career, George C. Baker obtained an M.D. degree from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 1987 and began to practice medicine in 1991, after an internship in Internal Medicine and Dermatology. In 1996, he entered the Executive M.B.A. program at Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, where he graduated with an M.B.A. degree in 1998. During this time, he was Adjunct Professor of organ performance and improvisation at Southern Methodist University, and also served as SMU Health Center dermatologist.
George C. Baker is in great international demand as concert organist and jury member of competitions. Currently, he is Associate University Organist at Perkins Chapel, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Organ Solo
- Far-West Toccata (1969/revised 2008, Manuscript)
- Berceuse Paraphrase (Chicago, IL: H. T. Fitzsimmons Company, 1993)
- Divertissement (Chicago, IL: H. T. Fitzsimmons Company, 1996)
- Chorale Prelude on "Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten" (composed 2000, Manuscript)
- At the River (Tarzana, CA: Fred Bock, 2000)
- Tuba Tune Ragtime (Tarzana, CA: Gentry Publications, 2004)
- Ricercar on "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" (composed 2004, Manuscript)
- Toccata-Gigue on the Sussex Carol (composed 2008, Manuscript)
- Variations on "Rouen" (composed 2010, Manuscript)
Choral
- Noels for SATB voices, accompanied (Tarzana: CA: Gentry Publications, 2000)
- Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland for choir and organ (composed 2004, Manuscript)
- Our Father for SATB choir (composed 2005, Manuscript)
Discography
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Complete Organ Works. Recorded between 1976 and 1979 in Thionville, at Notre-Dame-des-Blancs-Mateaux and St. Louis in Paris, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music.
- Johann Sebastian Bach: 5 Organ Concertos. Concertos BWV 592-596. Recorded on the Kern organ at Notre-Dame-des-Blancs-Mateaux in Paris, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music FYCD 080. 1 CD.
- Pierre du Mage: Livre d'Orgue & Louis-Nicolas Clérambault: 2 Suites. Recorded in 1976 at Houdan, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music, 1976. 1 LP.
- Marcel Dupré: Organ Works Vol. 13. Vision op. 44, Zephyrs, Deuxième Symphonie op. 26, Six Antiennes pour le Temps de Noël op. 48, Chorales op. 28 (Nos. 21-23, 36-41 & 66). Recorded in 2001 at Perkins Chapel, SMU, Dallas, Texas. Naxos 8.554542. 1 CD.
- Paul Hindemith: 3 Sonatas & Max Reger: Organ Works. Recorded in 1975 at St. Sernin, Toulouse, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music, 1975. 1 LP.
- Darius Milhaud: Complete Organ Works. Recorded in 1974 at Chartres Cathedral, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music FYCD 916. 1 CD.
- Louis Vierne: 24 Pièces de Fantaisie. Recorded in 1993 at St. Ouen, Rouen, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music FYCD 817/8. 2 CDs.
- Louis Vierne: 24 Pièces en style libre op. 31, Messe basse op. 30, Messe basse pour les défunts op. 62, Prélude funèbre op. 4. Recorded in 1990 and 1993 at St. Ouen, Rouen, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music FYCD 815/6. 2 CDs.
- Louis Vierne: Organ Works. Messe solennelle op. 16, Verset fugué sur „In exitu Israel“ (1894), Allegretto op. 1, Communion op. 8, Triptyque op. 58, Prélude (1914), 3 Improvisations, Marche triomphale op. 46. Recorded in 1993 at St. Ouen, Rouen, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music FYCD 815/6. 2 CDs.
- Organ Works of American Composers. Recorded in 1976 at St. Sernin, Toulouse, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music, 1976. 1 LP.
- Charles-Marie Widor: Symphonie Gothique & Louis Vierne: 24 Pièces en style libre op. 31. Recorded in 1990 at St. Ouen, Rouen, France. Sigean, France: Solstice Music.
- Riches to Rags: Works of Bach and Joplin. Baroque Notes Inc., 1997. 1 CD.
- Jean Langlais: un centenaire/a centenary. Recorded 2007 at Saint-Sernin, Toulouse, France. Sigean: Solstice Music, 2007. 1 CD.
- Olivier Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur. Baroque Notes Inc., 2008. 1 CD.
- Hommage à Cochereau. (Together with David Briggs, Thierry Escaich und Loïc Mallié.) Recorded in 2008 at Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France (George Baker: Ricercar on "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland", Berceuse-Paraphrase, Toccata-Gigue on the Sussex Carol). Sigean: Solstice Music, 2009. 1 CD.