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UPCOMING EVENTS
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To invoke an old Southern expression, Bradley Hunter Welch plays the organ like nobody’s business. With the virtuosity of the playing and the easy-going spoken commentary, he quickly proves that entertainer and organist are not mutually exclusive. Hailed as “A world-class virtuoso” (The American Organist) and “an expert at defining darks, lights, shadows and colors,” (Birmingham News, Alabama) Dr. Welch is increasingly in demand as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and collaborative artist. He is the 2003 First Prize winner of the Dallas International Organ Competition. In addition to concertizing, serves as Resident Organist and holder of the Lay Family Chair of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and is Artist-in-Residence at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas.
From the Critics
“The five variations [Charles Ives’ Variations on ‘America’] range from carnivalesque to a polonaise, a type of Polish dance. On Caruth’s C.B. Fisk organ, Bradley Welch tossed off the lighthearted, even irreverent variations with panache and easily dispatched the quick pedal work, building to a bone-shaking conclusion.”
(Tim Diovanni, Dallas Morning News, October 2020)
“On paper, Welch’s program appeared to be a “hit or miss” affair anchored up front with Messiaen’s “Transports de joie” from l’Ascension and closed with Jonathan Scott’s transcription of the Finale from Saint-Saëns’s Third Symphony, both stitched together in unlikely fashion with six Schübler Chorales by J.S. Bach in the middle. Ladies and gentlemen, Bradley Hunter Welch is an extraordinary musician who happens to be an organist, and one whose programming defies convention. Yes, Messiaen and Saint-Saëns were the anchors, but Bach provided the delicate garlands connecting the two. Not given to hyperbole or writing in first-person, undeniably C.B. Fisk’s Op. 100 is a national monument, and Bradley Welch is a national treasure, truly ne plus ultra.”
(Bynum Petty, The Tracker, October 2019)
“As part of a season-long observation of the 25th anniversary of the C.B. Fisk organ in the Meyerson Symphony Center, the DSO’s first classical concert of 2018 opened with a razzle-dazzle account of Samuel Barber’s Toccata Festiva. Bradley Hunter Welch gave quite a demonstration of the organ’s dynamic and coloristic range, from purring strings to tinkly effects to great crashes of sound with thundering pedal registers. He set off virtuoso fireworks…”.
(Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, January 2018)
“ORGANIST BRADLEY WELCH DRAWS RADIANCE AND LUSTER FROM INSTRUMENT: Negotiated [the] instrument with astonishing ease and spoke about the music with engaging insight. An expert at defining darks, lights, shadows and colors, Welch set an ominous tone to begin Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in A minor, but it didn’t take long to blossom into full radiance…. transformed this [Guilmant] music from bombast to great music.”
(Michael Huebner, Birmingham News, AL)
From the Presenters
“Bradley’s recital was exceptionally fine, and many commented on his uniquely thoughtful and artistic approach to this particular instrument and to his choice of repertoire – all outstanding in every way.”
(Lorenz Maycher, director, East Texas Pipe Organ Festival, Kilgore, TX, 2015)
“A grand and glorious concert it was and one those who attended will never forget. Filled with excitement and eagerness, but played with masterful control.”
(The Console Crier, newsletter of the Chicago Chapter AGO)
“We are totally sold on Bradley’s professional and musical abilities! There was unanimous consensus that it was the best recital we’ve ever had.”
(Anita Coulthard, Arts Coordinator, Emory & Henry College, VA)
“I simply cannot say enough about this remarkably talented and genuinely charming young man! Absolutely everything about his visit here was the best it could possibly be.”
(Lois Jaeger, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN)
Bradley Welch Plays at Broadway Baptist, Loft Recordings
Dynamic Duo: Music for Two Organists, Pro Organo #7275