The Organ Sings!
Roger Nyquist, Organist

The Organ Sings!
Recorded at First Presbyterian Church, Mountain View, California,
on the Allen R-370 with Herald™ Audio Systems.


Dr Nyquist had this to say...
"To date, most of my recording projects have been performed on fine pipe organs. Some listeners may question my choice of an Allen Renaissance™ organ, let me explain."

"Advanced digital technology has literally ‘touched’ every person’s life. I am delighted to tell you that the organ has not been overlooked with this exciting technology."

"Allen’s Renaissance™ system is truly a 21st Century Digital Pipe Organ. All expected finishing and voicing controls are available, on a moment’s notice. In addition, the organist can select substitute ranks from Allen’s vast tonal libraries. For example, I selected Caville-Coll reeds in the Swell and Pedal divisions for this recording."

"The sanctuary at Mountain View Presbyterian Church is typical of thousands of suburban churches. A substantial amount of carpet is present along with padded pews. The natural reverberation time is quite short. Traditionally, the sound board of the pipe organ must be—the room! Sanctuary acoustics have prevented many fine pipe organs from coming into full bloom. An exciting portion of Renaissance™ technology is the inclusion of a most convincing digital sound board known as Virtual Acoustics™. Twenty room sizes are available, I have chosen the Cathedral setting for this concert recording."

"Finally, a pipe organ of the tonal size and scope of this Renaissance™ R-370 could not have been physically installed in the available space. Renaissance™ technology allows churches to have organs of majestic sound and flexability, while still providing proper stewardship of church funds."

"Naturally, the end result of this project, is the sound of the organ. I trust you will find my new musical effort both rewarding and educational."

The Program

Concerto in A Minor 
Allegro vivace

Vivaldi - Ellsasser
1678-1741 1926-1972

Two Chorale Preludes:
 
Comest thou, Jesu, from Heaven to earth (S. 650)
  He who will suffer God to guide him (S. 642)

J.S. Bach
1685-1750

Sonatina (S. 106)
 
(Cantata: God’s time is best)
Toccata and Fugue in D minor (S. 565)
Pasticcio
Prelude       
Te Deum

Jean Langlais
1907-1991

Air with Variations 

Leo Sowerby
1895-1968

Rondo in G

John Bull
1562-1628

Noël de Saintonge

Jean-Francois Dandrieu
1682-1738

Méditation

Louis Vierne
        1870-1937

Toccata

  John Weaver
        1937-

Aria

Flor Peeters
        1903-1986

Eternal Designs
 
(La Nativitê)

Olivier Messiaen
1908-1992

Toccata (Symphonie 5)

Charles-Marie Widor
        1844-1937