-The American Organist Magazine
PETER KRASINSKI
CONCERT ORGANIST
PETER EDWIN KRASINSKI is broadly recognized as a motivating consultant for the pipe organ community, and as a conductor, organist, and music educator, whose imaginative and energetic performances elevate and inform diverse audiences. Well respected in both the secular and sacred genres of his field, he has taught the enchantment of music to both public and private institutions in the greater Boston area for many years. His Bach interpretations have been hailed in print as "sublimely spiritual.” and his improvisations have been critically acclaimed in the press as "stunning,” "seamless,” and “brilliant.” His silent film performances have been called “a great marriage of movie and music.” He consistently receives rave reviews about his “compositions in real time.” “Krasinski’s musicianship and command of the organ were matched by his intuition and keen sense of dramatic sensitivity.” “It was remarkable and seamless, and yes—no modern movie could out do it… It was as if Krasinski became one with the elements.” “[Metropolis is] so intense and action-filled that, apart from an intermission, a player has scant opportunity to regroup between scenes. But Lang’s vivid imagery is packed with cues that Krasinski turned into recurring elements in an energetic score that drew on many of the Kotzschmar organ’s resources…an entertaining score worth repeating.”
Silent Film venues have include Riverside Church, (NYC) CSU Spivey Hall, (Morrow), Hammond Castle in Gloucester MA (for the International Society of Organ Builders), Irvine Auditorium at the University of Pennsylvania, Schermerhorn Symphony Center (Nashville), the John Silber Symphonic Organ at Boston University, The Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts, Trinity Wall Street (NYC), Wanamaker’s-Macy’s Greek Hall (Philadelphia), The Actor’s Chapel (NYC), Sharp Concert Hall at University of Oklahoma, Trinity on the Green (New Haven), The Performing Arts Center (Providence), and Mary Keane Chapel (Enfield, NH).
He has premiered the art of live improvised silent film accompaniment at many distinguished venues including major concert halls in Yokohama, Fukui, Miyazaki and Kanazawa, Japan, as well as the Mikael Agricola Church, Helsinki. In North America historic photo-plays have been first presented at the OSU McKnight Center, (Stillwater, OK), Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, (Fort Lauderdale), First Presbyterian Church, (Pompano Beach) Augustana Arts, (Denver, CO), St Joseph’s Oratory (Montreal), Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, (Greenville, NC), Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church, (NYC), Marsh Chapel at Boston University, St Joseph’s Cathedral (Hartford), National City Christian Church (Washington, DC), Cathedral Church of St Paul (Boston), United Congregational Church (Holyoke) and Old South Church (Boston).
Mr. Krasinski has won numerous prizes including First Prize in Improvisation in the American Guild of Organists National Competition. He was subsequently featured artist at the convention in Los Angeles at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. He has studied composition and improvisation with Naji Hakim (Sainte-Trinite), interpretation with Marie Langlais (Sainte-Clotilde), and also played and conducted for services at the American Cathedral in Paris. Among his many recital appearances he has played in concert at Notre-Dame Cathedral (directly following the renaming of Parvis Notre-Dame to Place Jean-Paul II) Paris, Methuen Memorial Music Hall (as featured solo artist for their Centennial Celebration), The Kotzschmar Organ at City Hall (Portland), Trinity Church (Boston), Holy Name Cathedral (Chicago) and Wanamakers/Macy’s Grand Court for their Centennial Celebration)
House Organist at the Providence Performing Arts Center, Mr. Krasinski was past Dean of the Boston Chapter AGO, is and Organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist in Providence RI as well as accompanist at Beth El Temple Center, Belmont, MA. He recently presented Master Classes at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland. He serves as organ consultant to a number of high profile projects. Past positions include Director of Choral Arts at Beaver Country Day School and Artistic Director of Youth pro Musica. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and Organ Performance, and the Master of Sacred Music Degree from Boston University.
Mr. Krasinski has shared his organ accompaniment, interpretation and improvising skills as soloist and with many organizations around the United States, France and Japan. He has conducted internationally, and his numerous commissioned compositions often see repeat performances. His other passions include playing jazz piano and sailing his J-24 off the coast of the North East.