Fans of Johann Sebastian Bach should check their schedules today as renowned Canadian organist Dr. Jeremy Thompson will present an organ recital of Bach’s works at First Presbyterian Church in Washington.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The performance is one of several the church hosts throughout the year, as a way for the church to share music, and the church’s exceptional Goulding and Wood organ, with the greater community.

Thompson’s concert will include Bach’s work in a variety of genres, including the majestic Prelude and Fugue in A minor, the four enigmatic Duettos, a transcription by Bach of a Vivaldi concerto as well as three extended chorale preludes, according to a press release.

“The program will showcase the versatility and variety of the Goulding and Wood organ at First Presbyterian Church,” Thompson wrote.

It’s a challenging program, according to Mike Morgan, music director at First Presbyterian.

“Bach is considered the great composer for the organ and he was a master for writing for the organ,” Morgan said.

Bach was so clever at writing music for the organ that there’s no margin for error when playing his compositions, which means one has to be very skilled in order to take a Bach piece on, much less an entire program full.

“So (Thompson’s) program — it’s quite the feat,” Morgan said. “He’s an outstanding musician by all grade levels. It’s just so natural for him.”

This is Thompson’s third performance at First Presbyterian Church. He’s performed with many orchestras — the Saint Petersburg State Academic Orchestra, the Saratov Philharmonic Orchestra, the Georgian National Orchestra, and the McGill Symphony Orchestra — and appeared extensively in recital performances, including a debut Atlantic tour of eastern Canada and three trips to the former Soviet Union. He’s also earned universal acclaim in recital and concerto settings throughout North America, performing with the North Carolina Symphony, Montreal Chamber Orchestra, Symphony New Brunswick and the Western Piedmont Symphony Orchestra.

Thompson recently released a recording of piano music from Quebec and plans to release two recordings this year: a recording of piano music by Russian composer Alexander Scriabin to mark the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death and an organ CD to mark the 20th anniversary of the Casavant organ at First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Va.

First Presbyterian Church is located at 211 W. Second St., Washington. The sanctuary entrance is located on Gladden Street between West Main and West Second streets.