This amazing collection of major works superbly played by Mother Church associate organist John R. Near (Widor’s biographer, editor of the definitive edition of Widor’s organ works, and professor at Principia College, Elsah, Illinois) documents in excellent sound on two CDs the 237-rank Aeolian-Skinner op. 1203 before more than 2,000 of its 13,389 original Aeolian-Skinner pipes (including 35 ranks of principals, mixtures, and chorus reeds) were discarded, along with several ranks of subsequent additions by others, during the renovation completed in 1999. Substantial CD booklet notes relate the unfinished condition in which the organ was left in 1952 and the subsequent tonal finishing and additions undertaken by Jack Steinkampf, Jr., and Jason McKown during the period of Near’s tenure with colleague Thomas Richner, organist of The Mother Church. DURUFLÉ: Prélude and Sicilienne from Suite, op. 5 DURUFLÉ: Fugue sur le thème du carillon de Soissons MESSIAEN: Dieu Parmi Nous GIGOUT: Toccata in b WIDOR: Choral (Symphonie romane) WIDOR: Finale (Symphony 8) DUPRÉ: Prélude & Fugue in B DUPRÉ: Berceuse (Suite Bretonne) DALE WOOD: Prelude on New Britain (Amazing Grace) BÖHM: Prelude & Fugue in C FRANCK: Choral No. 1 in E VIERNE: Adagio (Symphony 3) VIERNE: Carillon de Westminster BOYCE/FOX: Ye Sweet Retreat BACH/FOX: Come Sweetest Death MACDERMID: Behold What Manner of Love KODÁLY: Praeludium in D-flat VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Old Hundredth |