Joseph Jongen - Symphony Concertante (1926) for Organ and Orchestra (4/4) MIchael Murray

Joseph Jongen (1873-1953)

3. Lento continued
4. Toccata (Moto Perpetuo): Allegro moderato

His monumental Symphonie Concertante of 1926 is a tour de force, considered by many to be among the greatest works ever written for organ and orchestra. Numerous eminent organists of modern times (such as Virgil Fox, Jean Guillou, and Michael Murray) have championed and recorded it. The work was commissioned by Rodman Wanamaker for debut in the Grand Court of his palatial Philadelphia department store, Wanamaker's. Its intended use was for the re-dedication of the world's largest pipe organ there as part of a series of concerts Rodman Wanamaker funded with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. Wanamaker's death in 1928 precluded the performance of the work at that time in the venue for which it was written, but it was finally performed for the first time with the Wanamaker Organ and the Philadelphia Orchestra on September 27, 2008.

Michael Murray and the San Francisco Symphony conducted by Edo de Waart

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Liège
• Belgique
• Wanamaker
• Philadelphia

[orvtimlaw]

Masterfully Done! Bravo performance!

[MrTimber101]

This was the first recordings made with the Ruffati pipe organ in Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. The recordings give a good idea of the power of the instrument and how it enhanced performances of works for organ and orchestra in San Francisco. Previously, the orchestra mainly performed with electronic organs, usually in the War Memorial Opera House. This is a wonderful, exciting piece and an excellent performance.

[TheTerlingua]

it have always been my favorite

[JJRaff1822]

The city of Liege certainly redeemed itself by being home to Joseph Jongen after having witnessed the birth of that no-talent Cesar Franck a half-century earlier. Not only did Jongen NOT suffer an identity crisis with regard to what nationality he was, but he also had the uncanny ability to write music that is not only interesting but captivatingly beautiful as well without ever being hackneyed or clichéd. And dig that tuba solo about 40 seconds before the end!!!

[MelosAntropon]

My God! For the first time, you can actually hear exactly what the work sounds like! My compliments to Murray, De Waart and the SFSO go without saying, but special kudos to the recording engineer! Sole disappointment is the somewhat studied and "laid back" interpretation, but a more than fair exchange foe being able to actually hear organ and orchestra balanced properly. Personal PS: Michael, we miss you. Please consider coming back to the world recital stage, at least occasionally.

[c0066310]

this piece is so crazy, bravo!

[TheProf777]

Indeed one of the most powerful and moving works ever written...