Search - Marcel Dupre, Cesar Franck, Charles-Marie Widor :: Dupré, Franck, Widor: Organ Works

Best ever recording of the St. Sulpice organ

12/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"American organist Michael Murray (Marcel Dupré's last American pupil and Dupré's biographer) together with the recording engineers at Telarc have scored a winning combination with this new recording of Cavaille-Coll's *opus magnum* instrument. The three composers represented all have a link to the organ of St. Sulpice. The Dupre works are engaging, with a tight sense of construction and a dash of post-romantic harmonies, quintessentially French. My first impression of the Widor Finale from Sym. No. 6 was that Murray plays it too slow; however upon repeated listenings I find his tempo just right; the piece unfolds at the proper pace, and no details are lost (this was after all Widor's own organ). As it is, truly majestic and truly exciting. The varied sections of the Franck show a great mastery of form and emotional intensity that Murray carries off with aplomb. The recorded sound is AWESOME, from the singing foundation stops, powerful ensembles, lovely solo registers, to shimmering celestes, brilliant reeds and mixtures, and the teeth-rattling intensity of the pedal Contre-bombarde. The recording captures the ideal balance of instrument and acoustics. An absolute "must have" for organ enthusiasts!"

Masterly Dupre and Widor - mannered Franck

05/07/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I recommend this recording very highly. The sound of the organ and playing is magnificent especially in the Dupre and Widor selections. The Franck "Grand Piece Symphonique" however, is another story. After all the scholarship and attention to original playing editions in the past 30+ years, it amazes me that Murray still hangs on to the mannered, in my opinion, highly unmusical, Lemmens' 'legato' style in his interpretation of the Franck work. Buy this for the Dupre and Widor selections, they are amazing!"