A Grand Celebration - New Review

Today we wanted to share a great review of "A Grand Celebration" from "Classical Lost and Found". We'll excerpt a bit of it here and give you the link to the full review on CLOFO.com. The review is found in their Audiophile Selections page.

Grand Celebration (Macy's 150th; Dupré, Elgar & Jongen); Conte/Wana Org/Milanov/Phil O [Gothic]
AUDIOPHILE (1 CD)

-- Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found (CLOFO.com, Y100321)

This blockbuster release marks the completion of another chapter in the colorful history of the Wanamaker Organ....

...Billed as "A Grand Celebration," this album certainly captures the excitement associated with this once in a lifetime concert. Organist Peter Richard Conte demonstrates his total command of this windblown behemoth both from the registration as well as technical standpoints with some hand and footwork that would turn an octopus green with envy. In the first two selections, which are more solo pieces, he uses his phenomenal virtuosity never just for show, but only to serve the music. In the Elgar he gooses up the organ part just enough to make this one of the most thrilling performances of it you'll ever hear.

That's also due in no small part to the spirited playing of the Philadelphia Orchestra under its associate conductor, Rossen Milanov. Their reading of the Dupré is equally effective, as is most of the Jongen. However those who cut their teeth on the groundbreaking performance of the latter with Virgil Fox (1912-1980) may find parts of the first movement a tad subdued here. Also there are some brief queasy-sounding horn passages in the lento [track-4, beginning at 11:23], but other than that everything proceeds swimmingly.

As far as recordings of live performances go without benefit of touch-up sessions to get rid of occasional coughs (two noted) and applause (after each selection), these must rank with the most impressive ever done. The soundstage is stupendous, and while the combined organ and orchestra may at times seem a bit congested, this would probably be true under any circumstances with forces of this magnitude. That said, the overall balance is simply superb, and the low frequency response remains unbelievably immaculate despite all those organ pedal points (see above) plus some heavy-duty bass drum activity in the Elgar.

Read the review in its entirety at CLOFO.com

And make sure to get your copy of A Grand Celebration today from The Gothic Catalog