Josef Still, cathedral organist at the Hohe Domkirche Trier since 1994 and the expert authority on organs of the diocese of Trier, is the successor to the long-time cathedral organist Wolfgang Oehms and has recorded an extraordinary music programme to celebrate the Christmas festivities on the present album. The works of selected Polish composers appear on the recording, together with works of J.S. Bach and Max Reger performed on the Beckerath Organ in the Lebensbaumkirche in Manderscheid. The Beckerath Organ, which was moved to Manderscheid from the former institute of Church Music of the diocese of Speyer and renovated by Mayer Organ Builders, has found a new home in the Lebensbaumkirche. Here it can resound in a new-found brilliance.

GRAMMY Award-winning composer Michael Daugherty explores three icons of 'The Greatest Generation', a turbulent period of adversity and achievement in the United States of America spanning the Great Depression of the 1930s through the Second World War. Mount Rushmore is a dramatic oratorio inspired by the monumental sculpture of four American presidents carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Radio City is a symphonic fantasy on the legendary Arturo Toscanini, who conducted the NBC Symphony Orchestra in live radio broadcasts heard by millions across America. The Gospel According to Sister Aimee is an organ concerto inspired by the rise, fall and redemption of religious celebrity Aimee Semple McPherson. Under the masterful baton of Music Director Carl St. Clair, the renowned Pacific Symphony is joined by Pacific Chorale, one of America's greatest choirs, and GRAMMY Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs.

The John Reading Manuscripts of Dulwich College, Composer John James, John Blow, John Reading, John Barrett, Maurice Greene, Mr. Seedo, William Croft, Artist Riccardo Bonci organ, Format 1 CD, A noted organist, composer and teacher in his day, John Reading (born in 1685/6) was obviously something of a networker, acquiring many contacts during his spell as a chorister in the Chapel Royal and thereafter becoming friends with some of the most prominent London musicians of the 18th century. The impresario drew on his professional connections to compile what is now considered one of the most important collections of English organ music from around that period: The John Reading Manuscripts. Still housed in the beautiful surroundings of Dulwich College Library, these volumes elucidate a fascinating period of stylistic transition with regard to organ writing in mid-18th-century England. John Blow, John James, Maurice Greene, Mr. Seedo, John Stanley, John Barrett and John Reading himself: these are among the names featured in the collection and which make up this engaging release. The disc explores the inherent musical possibilities of the voluntary, a improvisatory piece which performed an established role as part of the church service, such as the 'double voluntary' and the '1st' or '2nd' voluntary. Two trumpet airs by Reading are included, works which were probably originally written for the harpsichord because of the high register of their solo parts, and the manuscripts also draw attention the two distinct styles of organ composition then in vogue: the old contrapuntal style of the early Baroque, with it's elaborate ornamentation, and the new, lighter textures of the early 18th century - a reflection of the new arrival of Italian opera and the rococo style. Performing these works with aplomb and drawing full attention to the different national styles contained therein is distinguished Italian organist Riccardo Bonci. The recording was, rather fittingly, made on the Dulwich College premises: Bonci plays the 1760 George England organ in Christ's Chapel of God's Gift. Recorded 10 & 11 March 2010. Booklet contains extensive information on the manuscript, it's history, the works and the instrument. This disc presents the most important collection of 18th century English organ music, as collected and edited by the eminent John Reading, organist, composer and teacher from that period. Located in the beautiful historic library of Dulwich College it contains a treasure trove of works by John Stanley, John Blow, Maurice Greene, William Croft, John Barrett and (of course) John Reading himself. Music of elegance, charm and brilliance, featuring many "Trumpet Voluntaries". Played on the historic 1760 George England organ in the Christ's Chapel of God's Gift in Dulwich College, a most fitting and "authentic" environment, by Italian master organist Riccardo Bonci.

This is Volume 4 in Centaur's traversal of the complete organ works of Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937), performed by Joby Bell. This is clearly going to be the seminal recording of these works. Since 2004, professor Joby Bell has served on the faculty of the Hayes School of Music, where he teaches organ and church music studies. His church music teaching emphasizes the practical knowledge needed for a solid undergraduate foundation toward successful work and further studies in sacred music. His organ teaching specializes in practice techniques, memorization, service playing, choral accompanying, and maintaining grace under pressure – lessons always best taught by example. Dr. Bell is known for "the breadth of his repertoire, technical virtuosity, and for the personal warmth which shines through in his performances." His acclaimed blog at deals with a comprehensive range of organ-related topics including teaching philosophies, recital preparation, church music, and professional concerns.

Carson Cooman is many things musical- organist and Composer in Residence at the Memorial Church, Harvard University, writer, critic, and consultant, concert organist, and above all a highly prolific composer of music in a wide variety of genres, from orchestral to song. His organ compositions come in many styles, from liturgical models, to substantial secular pieces such as his organ symphonies, preludes and fugues. Here are a fine set of fantasias on well-known seasonal tunes and some new compositions, to celebrate Christmas in fine style (and suitable for listening all year round.) Erik Simmons is a superb organist, making his twelfth Cooman organ album for Divine Art. He is playing the wonderful ‘Sun Organ’ of St. Peter & Paul, Gorlitz, recorded through the Hauptwerk system.

David John Pike, one of Canada's leading baritone singers, and the great English organist David Briggs present Mahler: Orchestral Songs - The Organ Transcriptions, an astounding new album offering renditions of three cycles of lieder by Gustav Mahler. The recording of these opulent scores on the phenomenal new Eule organ at the Konstantin-Basilika in Germany, has an immediate appeal. The organ's atonal spectrum and the wondrous acoustic of the basilica give a unique and thrilling dimension to the music. About this recording, Briggs wrote: "I was delighted with David Pike asked me to work with him to record these three wonderful Mahler song cycles. There are many pre-existing recordings with piano accompaniment, but the opportunity to register these opulent scores on the phenomenal new Eule organ at the Konstantin-Basilika, taking the music back to it's very core and recasting it anew, was something that had an immediate appeal..."

The Organ of the St. Lawrence Church in Wroclów (1715-1717) comes from a workshop of one of the greatest Silesian constructors, Adam Horatio Casparini. The contemporary disposition, slightly modified in the 19th century, does not differ much from the Casparini concept. The instrument still meets the requirements of very orthodox Baroque literature, including the works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Hence it is perfect for the role that Professors Igor Cecocho and Piotr Rojek, associated with the Wroclaw Academy of Music, have assigned to it. The musicians undertook a task to examine and synthesize differentia specifica of the creative individuality of Johann Sebastian Bach, seen from the perspective of instrumentalists aware of the baggage of experience and the multifaceted inspiration of the cantor of Leipzig. They reached for works from the most famous Bach collections and performed their creative reinterpretation using transcriptions of these pieces and the possibilities of the trumpet and the unique instrument from Wroclów.

This album is the final volume in the retrospective series featuring Finn Videro, undoubtedly the best Danish organist ever. This album features the legendary recordings on the 17th century Compenius organ together with the much sought after baroque German organ works. Also included is a rare live recording from Dallax, Texas from Videro’s teaching years. Viderø was born in Fuglebjerg, Næstved. He was the organist at the Reformed Church in Copenhagen from 1928 to 1941, the Jægersborg Church from 1942 to 1947, the Trinitatis Church in Copenhagen from 1947 to 1971 and St. Andreas Church in Copenhagen from 1971 to 1977. He was guest lecturer at Yale University and held an honorary doctorate from the University of Åbo in Finland. In 1933, he co-published with Oluf Ring a widely used organ primer. His organ playing was uncompromising and many believed that Viderø's musical interpretations were as close to the authentic, artistic and historical representation intended by the composer as one could get.