Organ Odyssey
$11.98 – $16.98
Mary Preston, organ
An Adventurous Musical Journey!
MARY PRESTON, soloist with the Dallas Wind Symphony on RR’s recent smash audiophile hit CROWN IMPERIAL, shows on ORGAN ODYSSEY that she doesn’t need help to demonstrate the capabilities of themighty Fisk instrument in the Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas.
Designed with unusual power to support a full symphony orchestra, the Fisk Op. 100 is renowned as one of the finest and most thrilling concert organs on the planet.
Mary Preston is one of the most in-demand organists in the world. She is the Resident Organist and Principal/Lay Family Chair with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Curator of the Lay Family Concert Organ – so she knows its colors, range and possibilities better than anyone.
For her first solo recital on RR, she has chosen a wide variety of music – popular favorites, organ “spectaculars,” and off-the-beaten-path items to stretch the ears. In the former category are two selections by the French master WIDOR, including the evergreen Fifth Symphony Toccata in an especially brisk, bracing performance. American eccentric Charles IVES contributes irreverent Variations on “America,” which are sure to bring a smile to the face. MENDELSSOHN’s substantial First Sonata and a stately chorale-prelude by KARG-ELERT will satisfy organ mavens, while water-nymphs depicted by VIERNE and an evening reverie by LA MONTAINE provide welcome contrast. A highlight of the program is a powerful work by MESSIAEN to test the dynamic capabilities of any high-end sound system.
All these sonic riches were captured in three-dimensional, high-resolution HDCD sound by RR’s resident guru, “Prof.” Keith Johnson, who has just received his seventh GRAMMY nomination for Best Engineering, Classical (RR-108: GARDEN OF DREAMS with the Dallas Wind Symphony).
On This Recording
- Sigfrid Karg-Elert: “Now Thank We All Our God”
- Louis Vierne: Naïades Felix Mendelssohn: Sonata No. 1 in F:
- I. Allegro moderato
- II. Adagio
- III. Andante
- IV. Allegro assai vivace
- Charles-Marie Widor: Gothic Symphony—Andante sostenuto
- Charles Ives: Variations on “America”
- Olivier Messiaen: Dieu Parmi Nous
- John La Montaine: Even Song
- Charles-Marie Widor: Symphony No. 5 in F Major, Op. 41, No. 1: V. Toccata
Reviews:
“OK, so this is the best organ recording of the decade. Big deal? You bet a big deal! I have never heard the full-range of a colossal organ like this one so beautifully integrated top to bottom note and so naturally presented. This is the best of the best. Clarity is stellar. Tambours are perfect. Phase distortion is nonexistent. This would be fabulous in itself if the performances were not so spot on great. The Organ Odyssey from Reference Recordings is a reference recording of the highest caliber. Utilizing the gigantic Lay Family Organ in Dallas and presenting Mary Preston, organist, you will live these eleven selections and as well as hear them in your listening room. The Organ Odyssey is the best organ recording known to me and a must own reference for audiophiles. Truly the organ recording of the decade [unless RR does a sequel] and a true beauty. The Mendelssohn Organ Sonata is worth the entire price! If you play this disk and you hear near sonic perfection your system is also near perfect. A reference disk for keeps! My Highest recommendation!” —Robert H. Levi, Positive Feedback Online
“played with a mixture of joy, enthusiasm, brightness, and superb technical skill that is breathtaking.” —Larry Greenhill, Stereophile
