Greetings!

Yes, I am still here. Apologies for the long silence.

During the last couple of months, I have been to two very enjoyable
organ recitals. The first was Stephen Tharp at St. Ignatius Loyola,
Jan 10. Complete program is listed here:
http://www.saintignatiusloyola.org/concerts/organ_home.07.html#jan10

The recital started off with the Toccata by David Aprahamian Liddle.
This was the first time I had heard his music, and I can't say I was
impressed. Maybe it was the combination of the excellent reverb at
St. Ignatius and the high speed at which Mr. Tharp launched into the
Toccata, but for a while I had trouble even deciphering the motif.
When I did understand the musical intention, I realized that it
wasn't very interesting harmonically and otherwise. The piece got a
lukewarm reception from the audience. I am, however, going to give
the composer the benefit of the doubt and look at his other music on
the site, which I invite you to do as well.
http://www.davidliddle.org/Op3.htm
http://www.davidliddle.org/compositions.htm

The rest of the recital was superb. I particularly enjoyed the music
of Jeanne Demessieux, which I also hadn't heard before. The two
Meditations were sublime--Demessieux deftly translated water and
light into music, and Mr. Tharp's playing was transcendent.
Listening to this, I remembered Brazilian organist Domitila
Ballesteros and her informative book, Jeanne Demessieux's Six Études
and the Piano Technique. Read more about the organist and the book at
her website:
http://www.ballesteros.mus.br
http://www.ballesteros.mus.br/book.html

The other piece that stands out in memory two months later is the
Variations-Etudes sur une berceuse by Rolande Falcinelli.
Unfortunately I have misplaced the program notes, but I remember that
she took a simple lullaby and gave it fresh, exotic treatment which
was highly enjoyable. I applaud Mr. Tharp for acquainting us with
lovely new music alongside the classics of organ literature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolande_Falcinelli


Review of the second recital, by Arthur LaMirande, to come in part
two of this weekend special, later today.

==========================================

** OrganFocus News:

* New Links:
In Great Music Links:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=23

Olivier Messiaen site: The site includes a comprehensive database of
works by Olivier Messiaen and audio/visual resources as well as an up
to date listing of concerts, events and reviews.

[Editor's note: The web design and navigation needs major
improvement, but the information contained within is very interesting
and it's clearly a labor of love.]
http://www.oliviermessiaen.org/messiaen2index.htm

In Software:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=18

Java Microtuning Organ (JMTOrgan)
This easy-to-use program provides musicians the experience of playing
keyboard instruments in historical temperaments and at historical
pitches.
http://www.geocities.com/jeroendonkers/JMTOrgan/

[Editor's note: I have listened to the examples provided of various
temperaments and was blown away.]

In OrganBulders:

Neiland Organs
Neiland Organs is one of the foremost companies in 21st century
Ireland carrying out the sympathetic restoration of historic pipe
organs and also rebuilding instruments where necessity and expediency
require it.
http://www.neilandorgans.com/

In Personal Pages:
Jordan, Jeannine, DMA
Pro-Motion Music: Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist, is devoted
to the promotion of the organ and its music
http://www.promotionmusic.org/

[Editor's note: Dr. Jordan offers a number of intriguing workshop
programs, for both old and young.]


* Correction: David Moran, producer of the Heiller at Harvard CDs,
sent in a corrected version of Christa Rackich's recollections about
Heiller. Read this and more here:
http://www.organfocus.com/music/heilleratharvard.php3



** Web News:

* Ranks of church organists dwindling
(includes video)
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_organist28.
40f286d.html

* Silent No More
"Understanding the almost-lost art of silent-film music with
organists Chris Elliott and Dennis James"
http://www.metroactive.com/metro/02.28.07/silent-film-music-0709.html

* 'Pied Piper of the Pipe Organ' draws in crowd with playing
"Part music lesson, part recital, part spirited lecture, Cj Sambach's
Pipe Organ Informance captivated a crowd of just over 100 people
Sunday afternoon."
http://www.gtherald.com/herald/2007/feb/14organ.htm

* Pipe organs in car commercials? You bet. Here is a clip from Acura,
featuring a Casavant being tuned.
http://www.acura.com/index.aspx?initPath=TL_Explore_PhotoVideoGallery!
type:video|num:2|prefix:tls
Complete thread on OrganForum:
http://organforum.com/forums/thread/29275.aspx

Interestingly, I have just discovered a site for Acura Casavant car
dealership, located in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec.
http://www.acuracasavant.com

Connection?

Cheers,

Lana