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Details
Format: Digital Audio CD
Label: PRO ORGANO
Catalog Number: CD 7125
Length: 67′ 58″
Tracks: 17
Organ: Berghaus
Venue: St. Stephen’s Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania USA
Recorded: 09/20/2004
Released: 11/01/2004
Producer: Frederick Hohman
Notes Author: Frederick Hohman
Notes Language: English
Graphics Format: 8pp book, traycard, jewel box
UPC #: 636077712524
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Our colleague John Ayer’s program takes its title from the concluding work, the five-movement suite of Tournemire’s L’Orgue Mystique for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. Earlier on the disc he offers two of Tournemire’s five improvisations (as reconstructed by Duruflé). In all of these he shows his keen sensitivity from the French musical idiom and plays with just the right amount of rhythmic flexibility.
He opens with his own Fanfare for “Ru,” an attractive trumpet flourish (though we aren’t told who “Ru” is). The central part of the program consists of standard works: the Mendelssohn Sonata 2, Franck Chorale in E, Vaughan Williams Rhosymedre, and Frank Bridge Adagio in E. Two 20th-century American works follows. The Prelude on Three Spirituals by Rulon Chistiansen was written for John Ayer (is it published?) and is an audience-charmer as it incorporates Lord, I want to be a Christian, Let us break bread together, and Swing low, sweet chariot. The Prelude 2 by Edward Diemente was inspired by an excerpt from a homily of St. Augustine; it is well crafted in an attractive neo-classic idiom. The playing displays solid technique, sensitivity to sound and texture, and musical understanding. The disc was recorded on the Berghaus renovation/ rebuild of an E. M. Skinner organ; the stoplist is given with annotations. The liner also includes short notes and a brief biography. Engineering is superb, with balance and presence. – Victor Hill – The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musician (November 2005).
01 • Fanfare for “Ru” • John Ayer • 1’1″
02 • Sonata in C Minor Op 65 No 2 – Grave • Felix Mendelssohn • 1’40”
03 • Sonata in C Minor Op 65 No 2 – Adagio • Felix Mendelssohn • 3’13”
04 • Sonata in C Minor Op 65 No 2 – Allegro maestoso e vivace • Felix Mendelssohn • 2’12”
05 • Sonata in C Minor Op 65 No 2 – Fuga: Allegro moderato • Felix Mendelssohn • 3’53”
06 • Cantilène improvisée • Charles Tournemire • 4’25”
07 • Petite rapsodie improvisée • Charles Tournemire • 3’39”
08 • Choral in E major • César Franck • 15’40”
09 • Prelude on “Rhosymedre” • Ralph Vaughan Williams • 4’23”
10 • Adagio in E major • Frank Bridge • 5’41”
11 • Prelude on Three Spirituals • Rulon Christiansen • 3’26”
12 • Prelude 2 • Edward Diemente • 4’7″
13 • L’Orgue Mystique – 23rd Sunday After Pentecost – I – Senza rigore • Charles Tournemire • 1’26”
14 • L’Orgue Mystique – 23rd Sunday After Pentecost – II – Calmato ben moderato • Charles Tournemire • 2’45”
15 • L’Orgue Mystique – 23rd Sunday After Pentecost – III – Senza rigore • Charles Tournemire • 1’28”
16 • L’Orgue Mystique – 23rd Sunday After Pentecost – IV – Largo • Charles Tournemire • 2’47”
17 • L’Orgue Mystique – 23rd Sunday After Pentecost – V – Fantaisie sur le Te Deum et Guirlander Alleluiatiques • Charles Tournemire • 6’4″
John Ayer
JOHN AYER has received praise and accolades from church musicians and sacred music devotees on both sides of the Atlantic for his work as founder and musical director of the Memphis Boychoir and Memphis Chamber Choir. From 1990 through 2003, while serving as Organist and Choirmaster at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Memphis, his choirs explored and showcased new composers and repertoire. Learn more…
