LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Inside a historic cathedral on the edge of downtown Little Rock, around sixty individuals gathered quietly in the pews during a recent January lunch break. The air resonated with the intricate sounds of the Gothic church’s pipe organ, while a screen displayed an artist interpreting the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach. However, the attendees were not there for a traditional service; they were present for the third concert in a year-long series organized by Colin MacKnight to honor the 275th anniversary of Bach’s passing.
MacKnight, who serves as the music director at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, is undertaking a noteworthy endeavor: performing the entirety of Bach’s organ works over the course of 2025. This ambitious initiative involves a substantial total of 18 hours of music, presented in half-hour segments on nearly every Wednesday throughout the year.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time because it represents, I believe, a profound way of immersing myself in the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach,” MacKnight shared while preparing in the cathedral’s stillness the day prior to a performance.
The concerts in Little Rock are among numerous global events this year celebrating the legacy of the renowned German composer and the anniversary of his death.
MacKnight, originally from Bethesda, Maryland, has held his music director position at Trinity for three years. He recounted his first encounter with Bach’s music occurring at a relative’s funeral when he was roughly twelve. “Hearing it that day truly captivated me and sparked my affection for Bach,” he reflected.
At 31 years old, MacKnight skillfully maneuvers around the four keyboards of the organ console, adjusting various knobs to blend sounds into intricate combinations. His feet deftly navigate the pedalboards, uniting to produce the notes of Bach’s compositions. Despite his proficiency, MacKnight recognizes that the sight of the organ can be quite overwhelming for newcomers. “If you’re unfamiliar with it, it can be quite daunting, much like an airplane control panel,” he explained.
The concerts, which are offered free to the public, also serve as educational experiences. Each program contains a glossary of terms such as ‘concerto’ and ‘fugue’, and MacKnight takes time between selections to share insights about Bach and the pieces being performed. “These works fall into the unfortunate category of being far more challenging than they might seem,” he noted.
Bach is widely regarded as one of the most influential composers in history, particularly noted for his organ compositions that utilize pedals and exhibit complex structures. Very few organists attempt to perform the complete set of his organ works due to their difficulty and sheer volume. Notable organist Paul Jacobs, who taught MacKnight at Juilliard, famously delivered an 18-hour continuous concert of Bach’s organ pieces in 2000, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death.
The free concerts have attracted a diverse audience, including church members, classical music lovers, and newcomers seeking a tranquil respite from their daily routines. Barry Coplin, a church congregant who has attended two performances, expressed, “I’m drawn to the complexity of the music and the organ’s power, which resonates deeply within me.”
Ben Wiley, a classical music enthusiast residing about thirty minutes away, attended his third concert of MacKnight’s series. He values the format of experiencing Bach’s works in manageable half-hour segments. “This format is great for taking in the music in short intervals, allowing me to fully absorb it and anticipate the next sessions,” Wiley stated.
In addition to the ongoing series, MacKnight is also set to deliver a 100-minute concert featuring one of Bach’s most expansive organ compositions—the Clavier-Ubung III, also known as the German Organ Mass—scheduled for July 28, the anniversary of the composer’s death in 1750 at the age of 65.
Rev. Thomas Alexander of Trinity expressed that these concerts provide an opportunity for the community to appreciate MacKnight’s musical skills while learning about Bach in a way that might not typically be accessible. “It’s akin to reading an entire collection of someone’s novels. You gain a deep understanding of their work comprehensively, which also fosters a sense of community,” Alexander added.
