Wow -Now I am rejoicing!
Ralph Bishop | Salem, OR United States | 10/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Salt Lake City LDS Conference Center recording of well-known hymns played solo on the new 130 rank Schoenstein & Co organ is, in my opinion, magnificent; it is the best recording I have ever heard of this music type. The tonal qualities are rich and pure, with a great dynamic range of sound levels. My subwoofer literally shakes my listening area when the 16' through the 64' pedals are played. The arrangements are brilliant and the organists are suburb."
AWESOME
N. Henderson | Prescott Valley, AZ USA | 12/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Huge pipes, great hymns, outstanding artists. Best pedal division in the world, never heard the air shake like that before, and I've heard the largest of the organs in existence. I've been on a personal tour with John Longhurst, the senior organist also in this recording, and was honored to see and hear the great organ up close and personal. The 21,000-seat auditorium the organ is housed in trembles when the divisions of 32 foot and 64 foot pipes come to life. Just a note, the Conference Center occupies a full city block, you need a massive amount of power to shake that building. The pipes are actually larger in scale than a pipe organ normally is because of the immense size of this auditorium. Schoenstein had wisdom in purposely making this organ not too HUGE with a blindingly and rediculously large sound, but still maintaining the full power of a 5 manual King of Instruments. They just "upped" the pedal division. It is much smaller than it's grandfather, the 11,623 pipe organ in the Tabernacle a city block away, the Conference Center organ being 7,708 pipes. However, it remains very powerful and I can say I have never heard any of the largest organs speak its power so greatly. The entire CD is not all about showcasing the power of this instrument though, many will be shocked by it's more humble, sweet touch brought about in the delicate hymns of this recording. Excellent recording, buy it!"