Rachmaninov's Vocalise transcribed for organ

Robert Cundick and John Longhurst play a duet transcription of Sergei Rachmaninov's Vocalise op.34 no.14, arranged by Robert Cundick. Already a very beautiful piece written for piano and cello, this transcription is incredibly effective, and demonstrates the soft colours of the Mormon tabernacle organ.

The organ has 5 manuals, 147 stops, 206 ranks and 11,623 pipes. Joseph Ridges built the original organ in 1863, and this was added to by Johnson, Kimball, Austin, Aeolian-Skinner and finally Schoenstein. It has a very complete scheme and its wealth of colour and power is remarkable.

Robert Cundick (born 1926) is a graduate of the University of Utah and was organist for many years at the Mormon Tabernacle, he introduced four-handed accompaniment to the liturgy and was instrumental in helping women obtain posts as organists at the tabernacle. He has written several works for the organ including one, Epsom Esq dedicated to his beloved dog! John Longhurst (born 1940) had been organist at the Tabernacle for 30 years, and obtained degrees in music from the University of Utah.

This recording was made in April 1990 by the Argo label 430 426-2 'A Tabernacle Organ Duo Extravaganza' and has sadly been out of print for many years.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Organ
• Pipe
• Mormon
• Tabernacle
• Rachmaninov
• Vocalise
• John
• Longhurst
• Robert
• Cundick

[jimryland]

The cello version is, itself, a transcription. The original was for high voice and piano, #14 of 14 Songs, Op. 34, (1912) and, as the title implies, to be sung without words using the voice as an instrument. It was for Russian soprano Antonina Nezhdanova.

[iamrepete]

I have this recording and it is a shame it's out of print. Very nice slide show, too except some captions about who or what is in the pictures would be helpful for those who aren't familiar with them. Thanks for posting this!

[alexoldroyd]

Now that renovations are complete, the Tabernacle is the primary concert hall for daily organ recitals, various programs, and the Tabernacle Choir broadcasts and recordings. During the summer, they move to the conference center to accommodate larger crowds since the Tabernacle only seats about 3000. But the Tabernacle organ is still the premier location as far as organ and choral performances.

[eelgar1857]

I think the Tabernacle being "relegated to secondary status" is because of renovations that were going on.

At least, I hope that's the reason! Truly, one of the greatest organ "sounds" in the world.

[a55b47]

This is as close to a perfect combination of instrument & room as we have in the US. The few times I've been in SLC, I've made it a point to attend the daily organ recital, & have never been disappointed. The Tabernacle seems to have been relegated to secondary status, though, since the construction of the mammoth auditorium across the street with its Schoenstein organ. It's a shame, because this organ is an American musical icon.