Mary Preston, soloist with the Dallas Wind Symphony on RRÂ’s recent smash
audiophile hit "Crown Imperial", shows on Organ Odyssey that she doesnÂ’t need
help to demonstrate the capabilities of the mighty 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 received his seventh GRAMMY nomination for Best Engineering, Classical (RR-108CD: Garden of Dreams).
Musicians:
Mary Preston, Fisk Op. 100 organ
Features:
• 24-bit HDCD
Selections:
Sigfrid Karg-Elert
1. Choral Improvisation - Now Thank We All Our God
Louis Vierne
2. Pieces de fantasie, op. 55: Naiades
Felix Mendelssohn
3-6. Organ Sonata No. 1 in F
Charles-Marie Widor
7. Gothic Symphony No. 9—Andante sostenuto
Charles Ives
8. Variations on “America”
Olivier Messiaen
9. La Nativite du Seigneur: Dieu Parmi Nous
John La Montaine
10. Even Song
Charles-Marie Widor
11. Symphony No. 5—Toccata
Recorded at on the Lay Family Concert Organ at Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas.
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 received his seventh GRAMMY nomination for Best Engineering, Classical (RR-108CD: Garden of Dreams).
Musicians:
Mary Preston, Fisk Op. 100 organ
Features:
• 24-bit HDCD
Selections:
Sigfrid Karg-Elert
1. Choral Improvisation - Now Thank We All Our God
Louis Vierne
2. Pieces de fantasie, op. 55: Naiades
Felix Mendelssohn
3-6. Organ Sonata No. 1 in F
Charles-Marie Widor
7. Gothic Symphony No. 9—Andante sostenuto
Charles Ives
8. Variations on “America”
Olivier Messiaen
9. La Nativite du Seigneur: Dieu Parmi Nous
John La Montaine
10. Even Song
Charles-Marie Widor
11. Symphony No. 5—Toccata
Recorded at on the Lay Family Concert Organ at Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas.
