Special guest artist and accomplished organ musiscian, David Schrader performed some of his favorite pieces for free on Sunday.

The organ recital ran from 3 to 5 p.m. inside the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.

During the first act, Schrader played L’Ascension (1933) by Olivier Messiaen, followed by Chaconne en Trio by Jacques Morel.

“I heard that he was one most respected musician in the Midwest,” said freshman music major Chris Lewandowski.

After the intermission, Schrader performed Two Fantasies by Jehan Alain, followed by Bach’s Canonic Variations on “Vom Himmel hoch da komm’ ich her.”

Schrader also performed Prelude and Fugue in E Minor (Wedge) by Bach.

“I wanted to play a piece from the 20th century first then work my way to the 18th century,” Schrader said. “These are some of my favorite pieces.”

Schrader’s last appearance at NIU was on Nov. 7, 2010.

“He is a good musician,” said Dean Martinez, senior music performance major. “I really enjoyed his selection of songs today.”

Martinez listened to Schrader perform on Sunday.

Schrader has performed at the American Guild of Organist’ national convention as a special artist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

Schrader has a doctorate in music–organ from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in music–organ from the University of Colorado.

Schrader has performed with Music of the Baroque, the Newberry Consort and at Bach Week in Evanston. He has also made appearances with Chicago Chamber Musicians, Contemporary Chamber Players, Chicago Baroque Ensemble and The City Musick.

Schrader also performed as a soloist on the organ and harpsichord with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez.