Nicholas McWhirter | Dallas, Texas USA | 01/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Todd Wilson performs masterfully at the keyboards of the SCHUDI organ at St. Thomas Aquinas, Dallas, Texas. His flawless presentation of the complete works of Maurice Durufle shows the versatility of the instrument on which he plays and brings to life the music of the French master. This recording opens the world of organ music to the amateur, and will send chills up the spine of the afficianado."
"Maurice Durufle's organ music is in my opinion the best ever written for the instrument. It cannot be compared with any other organ music and transcends its French heritage to find a unique cross-cultural beauty. Durufle has managed to take advantage of the full capability of the organ and write six of the most spiritually and emotionally moving pieces of music you will ever hear.
That being said, everything else about this recording is just as wonderful as the compositions. The recording itself and the microphones placements are by far the best I've ever heard on a CD of organ music. The Schudi organ at St. Thomas Acquinas Church in Dallas Texas has got to be the best organ in the world for Durufle. I prefer it even over recordings of Durufle I've heard played on Cavaille-Coll organs.
Todd Wilson's playing leaves absolutely nothing to be desired. Todd is a wonderful man who once, out of sheer kindness, thanked me for coming to one of his recitals (that featured Durufle and the Reubke Sonata). He is more than up to the task that these very technically difficult works present and transcends the challenge of playing the right notes. His tempos are energetic and his playing is deeply, if not obviously, emotional. The registrations here are impeccable and bold-they range from the solo 8' flute at the very beginning of the CD to the full organ at the final chord of the magnificent Toccata.
This recording simply has to be heard to be believed. It's a stunning achievement for everyone involved in its making, from the engineers to the performer. It is a treasure for the whole organ community that everyone should experience."
The definitive recording
John Prothero | Garden Grove, CA United States | 05/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Other than the recording in 1967 (now available on CD) of Durufle's "Prelude and Fugue on the name Alain" as performed by his wife, Mdme. Durfule-Chevalier, there has never been a good performance of the complete works of Durufle. That has changed with Todd Wilson's disc. For such a small instrument, Wilson selects registrations that allow the rich harmonics to be heard with clarity. The overtones alone on a section of the "Veni Creator" will make your speakers rumble. There was a great deal of research done to make this CD possible, including an understanding of the kind of instrument that Durufle himself wanted to have his music performed on. Durufle's music moves, is electifying, is mystical (based on Gregorian Chant), and horrifying. He was such a master and so meticulous that this CD contains ALL of his published organ works. This is a CD best enjoyed late at night with the lights down and the headphones on so you can hear the mechanics of the instrument and hear the overtones correctly."
This is music that will stick to your ribs
Peter Hughes | USA | 12/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard the op. 6 Toccata - a real show piece - in a MIDI rendition by Serge Winitski, and that impelled my to buy this disk. I have now been listening to all of these incredible pieces at work for several weeks running. The subtleties still seem inexhaustible. The instrument, performance, and recording are beautifully balanced. I have finally had to break away intentionally - like getting up early at a feast - to make sure I can return many times to this beautiful place."
An Artistic Achievement of the First Order
Avid Reader | Franklin, Tn | 07/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many times when we discuss or review music there are expressions of delight and almost always these refer to the composer or the piece at hand. Sometimes there is praise for the artist but usually for technical ability. Then other times, like in this album, everything "works". This recording is unique - everyone, and I mean composer, performer, recording engineer, researcher, publicist - seems to have been possessed by the spirit of artistic genius.
Durufle published only a trifle of his organ compositions or should I say, allowed to be published. He was particular to the point of absurdity at times, convinced that this or that particular piece did not live up to his personal and exacting standards. He subscribed to that ardent, muscular Catholicism as almost all his predecessors - Widor, Vierne, Dubois, Guilmant, and especially his contemporary, Messiaen. Together they provided us with liturgical works for the 20th century. This faith colored his compositions and indeed his liturgical works are what he is known for unlike the others noted for their virtuoso organ pieces. Even non-believers must consider his Requiem nothing short of sheer beauty and the fact that it is so little known is the "unpardonable sin".
These few gems are perfect as is the sound, that "breathiness" that only the Caville-Coll organs possess. Needless to say, the symphonic organ is well suited to his compositions and some, such as the brassy Toccata, seem to challenge the limits of performance, style and technique. Here we find arresting, beautiful - even mystical sounds combined with an awesome technique and on-point interpretation and execution. I find it almost impossible to find any fault with the entire disk. My Grade: A+"