Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

This is the first recording on the newly restored E. M. Skinner organ of Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago, featuring several world premiere recordings (Tracks 8-13). This was written for and dedicated to Douglas Cleveland.

Classical Music

The spectacular sound of trumpet and organ playing in a generous acoustic is captured in this concert. The “infamous” is represented by the wickedly difficult Jericho: Battle Music, by William Albright, written as a virtuoso piece for both players. More famous tunes include the timeless Prince of Denmark’s March by Jeremiah Clarke and Trumpet Tune by Henry Purcell, Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and Cesar Franck’s Chorale in E Major. The concert ends with the encore Rondeau by Mouret, more famously known as the theme of Masterpiece Theatre. A soloist with an international career including Principal Trumpet positions with several major orchestras, Fred Sautter’s performance on this recording is both authentic and engaging. Roger Sherman is Associate Organist Emeritus of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, and host of the popular radio program, The Organ Loft. He is also the president of The Gothic Catalog.

A prominent element in the shared culture of cities of the Hanseatic League were the pipe organs. Jonathan Moyer begins a series on these remarkable instruments in L�beck, on an organ with pipework from the mid-1400s. Expanded by Stellwagen in 1637, the "north" organ in St. Jakobi was an important model in the revival of historical styles of organ building in the 20th century. Jonathan William Moyer maintains a dynamic career as church musician, concert organist, and pedagogue. He is the David S. Boe chair and assistant professor of organ at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and is organist of the Church of the Covenant in Cleveland, OH, where he oversees 2 pipe organs (Richards, Fowkes and Skinner/Aeolian) and a 47-bell Dutch carillon. Moyer has also been a visiting lecturer in organ at the Hochschule f�r Musik in L�beck and specializes in a vast repertoire from the renaissance to the 21st century. He received degrees in organ and piano from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and Bob Jones University.

Part of a series of concert recordings celebrating 50 years of the Flentrop organ at Saint Mark's Cathedral (Seattle). Roger W. Sherman performs one of the popular "All-Bach" concerts that are an annual feature of Saint mark's Concert series. Roger W. Sherman is the Associate Organist Emeritus of St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, and Artistic Director, Emeritus of the Orcas Choral Society. He has also served as Executive Director of the Westfield Center, an early music organization devoted to historic keyboard instruments. For more than 25 years he is also been host and producer of the popular Organ Loft radio program, broadcast in Seattle and Eugene. A native of Seattle, Mr. Sherman attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where studied with Arthur Poister, Fenner Douglass, and William Porter. He was Director of Music for St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Milwaukee from 1974-1979, and taught organ and harpsichord at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. During his tenure in Milwaukee, he was a popular harpsichord soloist with many groups, especially the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra. In addition to the recordings listed below, he has made recordings with Fred Sautter (principal Trumpet for the Oregon Symphony), the Imperial Brass, and the Dale Warland Singers.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using 24-bit technology.

The Bach Masses, Vol. 1

Francisco Correa de Arauxo’s surviving music is contained entirely in his Facultad organica of 1626. Published in Alcala under the composer’s own direction, this constitutes one of the largest and most significant works in the entire history of the organ. His compositions embody a wide range of characteristics, some rational and well structured, others mystical and even eccentric. Correa no doubt intended his works to be played in meantone temperament- the normal tuning system at the time for organs, and the one heard on these recordings. Robert Bates is an award winning, internationally known recording artist, recitalist, composer, and a specialist in early French and Spanish Organ music. His recordings include “Viaticum,” containing eight of his own compositions as well as “Complete Organ Works of Jehan Titelouze.” His live performance for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists is available as “In Recital at Lagerquist Hall.” Professor at the Moores School of Music, Houston, Texas, Professor Bates previously served as University Organist at Stanford University where he received his Ph.D. in Musicology.

The “Livre du Saint Sacrement” is a summation of Messiaen’s musical and theological persona, a statement of faith and a profound summary of his entire organ “oeuvres.” In this work he employs the significant compositional techniques of his life’s work as an organ composer: modes of limited transposition as the basis for his harmonies, Hindu rhythms, Greek rhythms, plainsong, birdsong, “communicable language,” and serialism. As always these compositional elements are used to explore the mysteries of Christian faith, in this, his most massive work. Born in Avignon to Pierre Messiaen, a Shakespeare scholar, and the poet Cecile Sauvage, Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) exhibited a rare musical talent from an early age. He was admitted to the Paris Conservatory at age eleven, where he won five First Prizes- notably in classes with Marcel Dupre, Maurice Emmanuel, and Paul Dukas. In 1930, he was appointed Organiste Titulaire of Sainte Trinite Church in Paris, a position he held until the early 1970s. At the outbreak of WWII, he became a French army hospital attendance, and in 1941 was taken prisoner and held in a POW camp in Silesia (where he composed Quartet for the End of Time). Upon his repatriation in 1942, he was appointed professor of harmony at the Paris Conservatory. During his lifetime, Messiaen was famed as an organist and pianist and frequently performed his own difficult compositions in concerts around the world. Colin Andrews is an internationally famous concert artist, with extensive experience in the music of Messiaen. One of only four organists to have recorded Messiaen’s complete organ works, Andrews was recently named “Membre d’Honneur” of the Association Grand Orgue Trinite Messiaen, based at Messiaen’s church in Paris.

In celebrating the splendid Fisk organ we are offering a tribute to the power and beauty of music. The extraordinary Hall, with it's magnificent C.B. Fisk organ will, we trust, continue to inspire and challenge new generations throughout the twenty-first century. (William Peterson) The repertoire on this recital recording in "Little Bridges" was chosen to showcase both the organist's and the organ's ability to handle music of widely varied origins with ease and authenticity. It also showcases the acoustically sensitive design of Bridges Hall. Bridges Hall of Music, designed by the notable architect Myron Hunt in 1915, is one of the oldest buildings on the Pomona College campus. The dedication of Fisk Op. 117 on October 12, 2002, marked the 115th anniversary of the founding of the College and was the culmination of a design process which began in 1980. William Peterson has played concerts throughout the United States. His recitals have included "French Organ Music from the Time of World War I, " 16th and 17th century Dutch and German composers as well as works by JS Bach. As a scholar he has worked extensively on French organ music of the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is the Harry S. and Madge Rice Thatcher Professor of Music and College Organist, Emeritus, at Pomona College.

This album shows the listener what a Parisian would have heard on a Sunday in the 19th century, with these recordings of harmonium works. It was common practice for the harmonium toaccompany the choir during morning Mass, then Benediction of the Blessed Sacraments in the afternoon. This two disc set includes a disc of music from the church, and a disc of a salon concert. Joris Verdin is the harmonium performer on this recording. For the sacred works he is joined by the Christ Church Schola Cantorum.