Dr. Judith Ofcarcik will host a lecture recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall St. She will perform “The Goldberg Variations” by Johann Sebastian Bach on the organ.
Ofcarcik, assistant professor of music at Fort Hays State University, received a Ph.D. in music theory from Florida State University in 2013, a subject she’s taught at FHSU for two years. She has a passion for the organ–a keyboard instrument with an old history.
First published in 1741, “The Goldberg Variations” is a work originally composed for harpsichord consisting of an aria and a set of 30 variations.
“This is a part of a research project that I’ve been doing,” Ofcarcik said. “It’s a really beautiful piece. It’s complex, interesting, and it’s a rare piece that’s just as much fun to listen to as it is to play.”
Last Friday, Ofcarcik gave a group of FHSU students and faculty a sneak peak of this week’s performance.
“Last week I did a lecture recital where I had explained the piece and gave a little bit of the history and played part of the piece,” Ofcarcik said. “Everyone is welcome; it’s not going to be a very long program, probably less than an hour. It’s a great way to spend a chilly Friday evening; listening to some music,” Ofcarcik said.