Customer Reviews

An Organ Blaster Sampler

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Corey is right - this is an outstanding organ CD, one of the best I've heard. Murray plays some of the largest and most powerful organs on Earth, and uses the reed stops more than the usual organist to produce great effects and a wall of sound that are majestic in the extreme. The selections are all great virtuoso showpieces, and track #6 by Messiaen (Dieu parmi nous from La Nativite') is especially demonstrative of the great contrasts available in a large organ. The horizontal trumpets in this piece are predominant and very bright, contrasting with the snarling bass of the pedal organ.

A word of caution - this CD requires a capable stereo (think subwoofer) to sound its best. Trust me - if you listen to this CD on a good stereo and if you like organ music, you'll sit there with a big grin on your face and tears in your eyes as you listen to this CD.

This is by far one of the best organ CD's I have ever listened to. The variety is very good overall. From the state trumpets at St. John's to the mighty organ of First Congregational Church, Murray provides nice registration on all of the organs sampled. The Finale from Saint-Saens No. 3 is awesome with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy,s direction. Murray provides his own notes on the organs and the pieces in the booklet that is included. This is some fine organ music!!

This CD concentrates on the big, showy organ pieces that organists love to play. As an organist myself, I find that such numbers are usually more fun to play than to hear. Fortunately, this CD is very listenable, and makes the case for both playing and listening to these works. I'd buy it again; maybe more telling, I'm looking for some of the music, so I can go play it!

I am by no standards an expert on music, let alone organ music. I just purchased this CD because I love the sound of the organ, and wanted an album from a mix of artists before I started branching out to single composers. I would also consider myself an audiophile, only listening to high quality music with my portable headphone amplifier and Sennheiser HD-555's. Let me tell you, the quality is perfect, and the music is incredible! Such a full sound, it's *almost* as good as sitting in audience, only lacking the full body experience of organ music. I would recommend this to anybody looking to get a foot into the world of organ music.

I happen to love organ music, even that tacky Saint-Saens
Third Symphony (with which this CD ends and just the third movement).

I grew up with E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, et al. and had never heard of Michael Murray (okay, it's been a while). I bought this delightful CD when it first appeared and before Amazon had been invented.

Upon hearing that most famous work with which Murray begins, I confess I was just this side of hysterical -- I was laughing with pure happiness. Murray's take on is it wonderfully over-the-top in the best possible sense. I have a son-in-law who is a musician and, indeed, does play the organ (i.e., if any of them have had pipes, I don't know, but I'm here to tell you, I don't want to hear ANY but pipe organs -- okay, I'm old).

At any rate, to hear this Toccata and Fugue played with such (carefully studied) abandon so tickled me, I called Brian (the son-in-law) and demanded that he listen while I put it on my stereo.

Now I'm going to send it to my son Bruce upon learning last night that he LOVES organ music. Who knew? He's 54 years old, for goodness' sake and never mentioned that little item before.

Can you imagine not one, not two, but three of THEE BEST renditions of three very important organ pieces on one disk?
Well, this cd has them. I`m referring to the Maestoso of Saint-Saens` Symphony No. 3, the Toccata of Widor`s Symphony No. 5, and Bach`s Toccata & Fugue Bwv 565.
I`ve heard countless versions of the Bach and Saint-Saens, and a few of the Widor. However, nothing has yet surpassed the grandeur and power of Murray`s playing.
The rest of the pieces are very commendable as well, especially Soler`s Emperor`s Fanfare and the Franck Grand Piece.

I have an extensive jazz collection and find myself adventuring into some classical lately. I don't know how qualified I am to evaluate classical since it is a new avenue for me but I still know what sounds good to my ears. I really enjoy this CD. It is very dynamic and explosive. I love the tonal colors and textures here. I will surely spend time listening to this CD.

One of the worst performances of the Widor ever -- lost most of the volume about 2 minutes into the piece. While there were somewhat adequate renditions of the Bach and the Saint Saens, it was on balance disappointing. As a fan of E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox (saw both in person) this CD didn't do the classical pieces justice. A strange mix of music.

After reading the very positive posts here, I purchased this CD and was disappointed. Yes, there was music on there that I liked but also quite a bit that I did not. The quality is uneven. I guess if you bought it, it would be one way to learn what you do and don't like.