Title: In Glorious Sound
Artist: Terence J. Flanagan
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 888174034638
Genre: Classical Composers

Percy Whitlock (1903-1946) began his musical career at age 7 in Chatham, Kent, England. His four extemporizations were written in 1933 and are considered to be an important part of his body of work. The Fanfare is the fourth of his four pieces featuring spectacular sounds in 7/8 time. Louis Vierne (1870-1937) became Organist Titulaire at Notre Dame de Paris at age 30. He was born blind, had his sight partially restored at age 10 but lost it again at age 48. He died at age 67 of a massive stroke while seated on the organ bench during a recital with his student Maurice Durufle. The Prelude (track 2) is the first of six movements in the Piece de Fantisie. It is actually a toccata, though the mood of the pieces remains somewhat restrained. The Scherzo (track 9) is the third movement of Symphony II. Vierne wrote six symphonies for organ working from only one or two themes for each. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) most likely wrote his Piece d'Orgue while serving as organist to the Duke of Weimar. Bach left that post in the middle of a feud between the Duke and his nephew who introduced Bach to the Court of Anhalt-Cothen. He became Capellmeister there after spending a month in jail, having incurred the Duke's displeasure when he asked to be released. Cesar Franck (1822-1890) at age 36 became the first organist at the newly consecrated St. Clotilde Basilica in Paris. He was particularly noted for his improvisation skills. His Prelude, Fugue, Variation, Op. 18 was originally written as a duet for harmonium and piano. Charles Ives (1874-1954) was born in Danbury, Connecticut. His father often had Charles and his brother sign in different keys while he played the piano in a third key. While at Yale, Ives showed his teacher, Horatio Parker, a Fugue in Four Keys to be played simultaneously which he had written. Parker asked him not to bring in any more such works, but Ives was not discouraged. He wrote Variations on America at age 17, four years into his composing career. The piece features a stunning variety of musical styles, including a discordant one, which sometimes fools audiences into thinking the organist is making mistakes. C. Hubert H. Parry (1848-1918), an English-born composer, taught at the Royal College of Music and at Oxford University. One of his first major works, a choral setting of scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound, has often been said to mark the start of a 'renaissance' in English music. His Chorale Preludes show both respect for Bach and Parry's love of hymnody. The two selections on track 6, Rockingham and Melcombe, offer a dream-like state. William Bolcom (1938- ) is the only living composer whose work is featured on this disc. He studied at Stanford University with Leland Smith and at the Paris Conservatiore with Darius Milhaud and Oliver Messiaen. His tremendous range of composition covers the gamut from popular songs to settings of William Blake's poetry. Bolcom wrote three Gospel Preludes in response to a commission from the Dallas chapter of the American Guild of Organists in 1979. They were so well received that three more books of three preludes were commissioned. The four books were written from 1979 to 1984. David N. Johnson (1922-1987) graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music and Syracuse University. He was head of the music department at St. Olaf College in Minnesota and the organ department at Syracuse before joining the music department at Arizona State University. He was also organist and director of music at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix. His Trumpet Tune in D Major is frequently used at weddings and can be heard weekly on the radio program 'With Heart and Voice'. Charles-Marie Jean Albert Widor (1844-1937) was born in Lyon, France to a family of organ builders. At age 26 Widor was appointed organist of Saint-Sulpice in Paris where he played what is considered to be the finest French Cavaille-Coll instrument. The instrument was an inspiration to Widor and he remained at Saint-Sulpice for 64 years. His best known work, this Toccata from his Symphony for Organ No. 5, is often played as a recessional at weddings and at the close of Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. About the Organist Terry Flanagan is Music Director at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco (PCMK) overseeing the programs of adult, children and handbell choirs. Terry has played recitals on many of the New York City's organs, and served as Organist and Assistant Choirmaster at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church for over 18 years. He studied organ under the instruction of Dr. John Weaver at both the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Julliard School of Music in New York City. Terry has studied French, British and German Organ Music to learn about European instruments and the literature composed for them. The present disc is the first solo recording that Terry has been willing to make, thanks to the brilliance and vocal clarity of the fine von Beckerath instrument at PCMK. About the Organ The 'Water Organ' was designed and built in Hamburg, Germany by the von Beckerath Organ Company, and was so named by it's donor, Bonnie Trotta, to reflect the dramatic force, graceful peace and emotional healing of spiritual music. Organist Anthony Newman served as design consultant for the project. The mechanical tracker-action, electric stop-action organ incorporates the traditions of German Baroque and French Romantic organ building. The 41 stops, 53 ranks and 2640 pipes are distributed among the Grand Orgue, Recit, Positif and Pedal divisions. The organ contains two real 32' stops, a Bourdon and a Contra Bombarde which give incredible depth of sound in the acoustically lively sanctuary of the church. One special feature of the organ is the Cymbelstern, a stop producing the sound of tinkling bells while two decorative stars spin on the case of the organ. The Cymbelstern was donated by Jane Brooks Farrell in memory of her husband, Robert H. Brooks. About the Church The Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco is a welcoming Christian community. We believe the importance of family, social justice, compassion for one another and spiritual values nurtured through the ministries of worship, education and fellowship. The best way to experience the joy and inspiration that is PCMK is to join worship on Sundays at 10am, and listen to the organ and other musical offerings live. Services and fellowship are warm and inviting, and the messages relevant to today's living.

Tracks:
1.1 Four Extemporizations in C Major No. 1: Fanfare
1.2 Piece de Fantasie in E Major, Op. 51, No. 1: Prelude
1.3 Piece D'orgue for Organ in G Major BWV 572
1.4 Prelude, Fugue, Variation in B minor, Op. 18
1.5 Variations on America in F Major
1.6 Chorale Prelude in E Flat Major, Rockingham - Chorale Prelude in E Major, Melcombe
1.7 Gospel Prelude in a Major: Amazing Grace
1.8 Trumpet Tune in D Major
1.9 Symphonie II in E Major, Op. 20: Scherzo
1.10 Symphonie V in F Major, Op. 42: Toccata