Organ Recital: Michael Murray

Organ Recital by Michael Murray
Saturday, February 8, 2014, 7:30 P.M.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685--1750)
Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532
"I Call to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ," BWV 639
Concerto in A Minor, BWV 593
Allegro - Adagio - Allegro
* *
Charles-Marie Widor (1844--1937)
Adagio, Symphony No. 6, Op. 42
Marcel Dupré (1886--1971)
Cortege and Litany, Op. 19
Carillon, Op. 27

[@kempedkemp]

Just my humble opinion: the greatest American organist there ever was! (At least in my generation. I am very proud of our younger generations of American organists too!)

[@daveluttinen2547]

RIP, Mr. Murray. Thank you and Bravo.

[@andrewlarson603]

One of my all time favorite organists.......period. Technically pristine and ALWAYS in service of the music. Speaks volumes in humility of a guy who in his prime could probably get a post on ANY organ but instead chose to serve a Church for 30+ years with an instrument of 27 ranks. A fine instrument indeed!! Murray's Franck recordings are in my opinion unsurpassable........

[@drivinsouth651]

I concur! Murray is the best organist I have ever heard. His Church was blessed and lucky to have the best! Isaiah 45: 7

[@stephenmcmullen7600]

No one....NO ONE, can play Dupre like Michael Murray. He made a 27 rk organ perform like an organ twice its size. Perfect balance. The Dupre Cortege....the texture of the piece is perfect. It is my gold standard for the way the piece should be performed.

[@georgemurphy2579]

He was among Dupre's last students and he wrote a wonderful and informative book about his teacher. The greatest interpreters of Dupre's compidiyions were McNeil Robinson and Michael Murray. Thank you Michael!

[@michaelschantz6708]

It has been a number of years since I heard Michael Murray live in recital. He has left a number of fine recordings via Telarc, however my favorite is his interpetation of Marcel Dupre's organ works at Notre Dame du Cap. That fine interpretation passes on the authenticity from one who was so fortunate to study with Dupre, the consummate master of the French Organ School.

[@michaelroberts1039]

What a great artist. What a flawless performance.

[@drivinsouth651]

I would have thought Michael Murray was the Phantom of the Opera because nobody plays the pipe organ better. Michael Murray rocks!

[@NikkkitoNippongo]

I was fortunate to see Mr. Murray in concert atThe First Congregational Church in L.A. home of the largest organ in a religious institution in the world back in 1984.

[@daumesnil1000]

Truly wonderful. I've waited years to see this great artist at work; one of my organist heroes. Thankyou and please, please , please , do some more performing , recording and filming.

[@LeoRWong]

J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532 1:07 J. S. Bach: Ich ruf' zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 13:55 J. S. Bach: Concerto in A Minor, BWV 593 17:01 | 21:11 | 24:57 C. M. Widor: Adagio, Symphony No. 6, Op. 42 29:53 Marcel Dupré: Cortège and Litany, Op. 19 38:34 Marcel Dupré: Carillon, Op. 27, No. 4 45:32 Marcel Dupré: Three Elevations, Op. 32, No. 1 54:01

[@josephgraif2588]

it is nothing less than WONDERFUL to hear a singular musician playing an EVOLVED, modern instrument. it is a shame that so much attention is wasted upon the organ of the 18th century and millions of dollars are wasted building neo-baroque instruments today.

[@andrewlarson603]

I highly suggest that you spend some time checking out the new organs being built these days. The neo-Baroque movement is thankfully ancient history. Most new instruments are designed to perform repertoire from all periods and there is often is a strong French influence. In fact, this has been the case since the 80s………

[@mortonbelcher]

Thank you for including this recording by this specialist of French organ music (especially that of Marcel Dupre, his professor). Professor Murray has retired from his position as organist at this church... Hopefully he will give a concert now and then which can be shared, thanks to the wonders of youtube.

[@GlamRockCowboy]

I consider it highly unlikely. He has long since retired from all concertizing and recording work. He is now in his 70's, so I for one would say that he has earned the right to slow down, relax, and enjoy life!

[@johnaustin80]

I have most of his recordings on the Telarc label. I started collecting them as a teenager.

[@kansasthunderman1]

I have two of Michael's CD performances on Telarc Records: "Bach At Saint Bavo's" in Haarlem Netherlands and at Saint Andreas Church in Hildesheim, Germany. These two recordings are also on KZbin.

[@dalerider3124]

I have now listened to this recital (three times over quite a period) - some "MOTOR MOUTH" teenage female close to the microphone talks incessantly. It's difficult to imagine someone thinking that what they have to say is more important than the music this artist wished to convey!

[@BruceXuHasADream]

Extremely talented!

[@jesseclementino]

Amazing!!

[@davebarclay4429]

What is wrong with the German title for BWV 639?

[@Chesterbarnes1]

Wonderful!!!!!

[@Mullikia]

Love Michael Murray but this sounds like it was recorded with the first microphone ever built.

[@2good2go2]

Well-long overdue, Mikey!

[@ghmus7]

Wow

[@Chesterbarnes1]

Is this the Micheal Murray who was once at Yale University? Curious.. it does not look like the same person.???

[@stephenmcmullen7600]

No, that is Thomas Murray, who is still there at Yale.

[@apt151]

Thomas Murray is another spectacular organist, professor emeritus at Yale University.

[@davidcraggs3770]

The J.S.Bach P&F was played at a realistic tempo compared to some performances in which it is raced through losing all its grandeur. Perhaps it was the acoustics or the tonal scheme of the organ but it seemed to lack 16 foot tone.

[@TheJakeman789]

7:30 is awfully late for a concert.

[@grahaml6668]

Fine playing but too bad about the acoustics (or lack thereof).

[@p.e.gottrocks4528]

The organ is WAY too strident. No wonder the public doesn't frequent recitals . A tiny segment of society welcomes damaged cochlear lobes?