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RECORDINGS
The natural sound
of instruments and environment is preserved digitally by Heinz
Pfennig, who worked with the artists at every stage of these
CDs. Extensive experimentation with high output tube-type Neumann
microphones in the classic ORTF configuration captures the fine
nuances of the violin while preserving the broad and richly
varied tapestry of the organ.
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"Your violin and organ
recordings are just delicious."
- Thadeusz Wronski, Rector,
Warsaw Conservatory |
 Violin and Organ
Volume I: Works for
Violin and Organ
he Murray/Lohuis Duo perform
musical compositions from Rheinberger, Stanley, and Bender among
others. Several were recorded at
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on a 1929 E. M. Skinner organ, Opus
712. Other works were recorded at
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
in Richmond, Virginia, on a 1951/1968 Aeolian-Skinner organ, Opus
1110 and 1110B.
The violin heard in this recording was made by Carlo
Bergonzi in 1729. The tone of the violin is typical of Bergonzi
- carrying and brilliant, yet liquid and mellow. Two different bows
were used to add varying depths of sound.
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"The choice,
arrangement, and performance of the repertoire are quite simply superb."
- Dietrich Bartel, The Diapason
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 Rondo
Volume II: Works for
Violin and Organ
 ollowing in the tradition
of the first recording, Murray and Lohuis perform classical music
written by 19th and 20th century composers. The title "Rondo" is
a style of composition that has multiple sections, with the first
section recurring after each new section is introduced. Several
compositions on this recording are written in this form.
Two selections heard on this recording are played
on an 1893 Woodberry & Harris organ at the
First Presbyterian
Church at Waynesboro, Virginia. Other works are performed on a 1968
Aeolian-Skinner organ located at the First Presbyterian Church in
Kinston, North Carolina.
Composers on this CD include Arthur Foote, Jan Bender
and
Leo Sowerby.
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"Special recommendation
for this fine recording."
- Vernon Gotwals, American
Organist |
 Breached Borders
Volume III: Works
for Violin and Organ
his compilation represents
a break from the traditional repertoire for these artists. Murray
and Lohuis decided to explore how political borders often engender
cultural barriers at various times throughout history. They
turned to the tremendous amount of musical creativity that took
place behind what for many years was known as the "Iron Curtain."
Pipe organs were introduced to Russia as early
as the 10th century. While the Russian Orthodox religion has
no place for them, organs have been installed in concert halls,
palaces, and churches of other denominations.
The noted musicologist Dika Newlin comments: "Russia's
'troublous times' of the 1920's, 30's and 40's were an age of
turmoil in politics, music, and indeed in all the arts." Breaching
these borders through music, Murray and Lohuis discovered many
works, which have previously been unavailable to the Western
world. Some of their favorites are offered on this album.
Of the composers heard on this recording, only
one has lived outside the Soviet sphere, and that while his
native land was afflicted by continuing geo-political border
conflict. The recording includes original compositions from
Estonia, Germany, Poland and Russia.
Lohuis performs on a 1993 W. Walker and Sons organ,
Op. 123, located at the First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk,
Virginia, and a 1951/1968 Aeolian-Skinner organ, Op. 1110, housed
at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia.
Selections
Total time: 77:12
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"To discover the
lost musical treasures of Eastern European
music from the last
century... start with this recording."
- John L. Speller,
The
Diapason |
Airs &
Romances
Volume IV: Works for
Violin and Organ
n the decades just before
and after 1900 many composers were attracted to the sonorous possibilities
of violin and organ in ensemble. "Airs and Romances"
draws primarily from the substantial repertory of expressive and
tuneful compositions by composers who were greatly admired in
their own time. Many were violinists of renown who were also successful
composers, conductors, and composition professors at prestigious
conservatories. Organists then and now have also written for this
combination of instruments which has renewed popularity because
of the performances and extensive research by The Murray/Lohuis
Duo.
Violin and organ printed scores, newly
edited by the Murray/Lohuis Duo, now available exclusively via the
Organ Historical Society:
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“Invocation”
by Amy Beach
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Suite de pieces pour violon et orgue, Op. 3 by Samuel
Coleridge-Taylor Selections
Total time: 69:12
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"And the music flows
and flows and flows."
- Joseph Magil,
American
Record Guide
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 All American
Volume V: Works
for Violin and Organ
his
new release
presents the first commercial violin and organ recording of
twelve intriguing works composed in the United States during the
twentieth century. Although three of the composers are
not native-born Americans, all resided in this country at the
time their works were written. The disc encompasses a
wider meaning for "All American" as Mathews is Canadian by birth
and Derek Healey's engaging set uses well-known melodies from
Mexico and Nicaragua.
The organs are both in
Richmond, Virginia: the 1954 Austin, op. 2218, with tonal
revisions by Guzowski & Steppe in 1991 at
Reveille
United Methodist Church, and the 1951/68 Aeolian-Skinner op.
1110 at
St. Stephen's
Episcopal Church.
Selections
Total time: 78:09
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"A fine musical
treat, beautifully and tastefully performed by two consummate
artists."
- Donald E. Metz,
American Record
Guide |
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