BEST ORGAN OF ALL TIME- Sheffield S-11 - STUNNING

$ 89

$ 89 Sold For

Jul 8, 2007 Sold Date

Jun 28, 2007 Start Date

$ 40 Start price

6 Number Of Bids

USA Country Of Seller

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Description

Thomas Murray - THE 1863 HOOK ORGAN, Music of Cesar Franck - Sheffield S-11 - RARE & ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

There are but few organ records of note.

This, in fact, is one of only 6 or 7 vinyl recordings Thomas Murray ever graced us with, as a player of organs, deciding instead to take a chair at Yale.

Of note, too, is that this is one of the very first recording efforts of Lincoln Mayorga, who not only dabbled in trying to record an acoustic (rather than a player or instrument) but succeeded mightily, this example among his absolute sonic best. It was made in the early seventies, when Murray was playing the finer, older organs in this country, in particular this the E. & G. G. Hook Organ at Immaculate Conception Church, Boston.

Now for the audio nitty-gritty:

For those unfamiliar with this brand of Sheffield recording, please be aware that few microphones were used and much time was spent trying to capture the acoustic…just as it would be heard by a listener in attendance.

Does it succeed? Oh mercy, yes. But therein let me share, that the recording demands that you turn up the volume higher and higher, until you are very much aware that you are right within the church itself. Make no mistake, it does not fail at this. In fact, I dare say, it is one of the best recordings of its kind in this way and among few that achieve such a result.

Note that the playing is as virtuosic as I have witnessed on any instrument, and that the readings are of Cesar Franck's GRAND PIECE SYMPHONIQUE and the FANTAISIE IN A.

This edition is very well kept. Cover is crisp, like new, while within, is a stout platter, maroon label original that should play near mint. (One of the very best copies of this I have seen.)

Final Note:

The American Guild of Organists calls this Murray series "the finest organ records of all time."

Come hear why.

For other fine records, TAS picks and hard-to-finds, please see my complete list of offerings here on eBay.

33 RPM, LP

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