Classical

Music is a living tradition at Saint Peter's. Through the diversity of musical programming and our commitment to restoring historic and significant instruments, the identity of music at Saint Peter’s continues to be a central part of both our liturgical and secular services. 

A Living Tradition

Works of master composers are cherished just as the church supports contemporary composers in their efforts to create new masterworks. Regularly performed in the context of public liturgies, the classical program also encompasses concerts and recitals.

Owing to Saint Peter’s Church’s commitment to both established and developing artists, classical music at Saint Peter’s Church features both amateur and professional musicians, persons trained in the best conservatories and colleges as well as those cultivated in living rooms and houses of worship across the nation.

In 2017, Cantor Bálint Karosi founded the Bach Collegium at Saint Peter’s — a professional vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to authentic musical performance on period instruments in a worship setting, with a focus on the cantatas and passions of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. This musical community is inclusive of both professional and amateur musicians.

In addition to the Bach Collegian, the Saint Peter’s Choir is a cornerstone of our Classical programming, including compensated and volunteer positions. If you are interested in joining Saint Peter’s Choir, please reach out to Bálint Karosi here.

The Sanctuary Organ

When it was built in 1977, Saint Peter’s gave to New York City a significant instrument in the lineage of American organs. In the United States, historically-informed musical performance emerged in Boston with the building of harpsichords during the first half of the 20th century. By mid-century, this effort expanded to the building organs. Indeed, historically-informed instruments produced today that have soared to new heights owe much to instruments like our own.

Our Sanctuary organ is the work of Klais Orgelblau of Bonn, Germany. The case measures 18 feet square by just four feet deep, and is elevated ten feet above the floor. The interior designers of Saint Peter’s Church, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, designed the organ with Klais. The challenge of fitting the organ into the Sanctuary was mounted by Joseph Shafer, Klais’s designer, and the Vignelli’s. A square case of red oak houses all 43 ranks of pipes, including the functional pipes of the front façade and function pipes of the back façade, viewable by passerby from the corner of 54th Street and Lexington Avenue.

The Klais organ at Saint Peter’s Church is the first of the company’s instruments to be open to the public in the United States. The organ’s distinctive case and console remains one of only a handful of architect-designed organs of the modern era, notably joined by Frank Gehry’s design for the Disney Concert Hall.

After the water main break, our instrument was removed for safekeeping and restoration of some significant damage caused both by water and mitigation efforts aimed at rapidly dehumidifying the Sanctuary so as to avoid an outbreak of mold.

The organ has been reimagined and rebuilt by C.B. Fisk Organ Builders. The distinctive Vignelli-designed case and console have been restored. New action, five additional stops, total tonal re-voicing and an improved acoustical environment bring once again to New York City an instrument capable of a wide range of literature with convincing, stylistic integrity.

Insurance covered some of the extraordinary care provided at a time of crisis. But there is more to be raised, including funds for an endowment to ensure the instrument’s long-term care. Thanks to the efforts of those who guided the initial creation of this instrument, as well as those who make commitments to the instrument today, we will ensure For the Future the ability of this world-class organ to inspire “wonder, love and praise” for generations to come.