1} Marcel Dupré: Prelude and Fugue in B Major, Op. 7, No. 1
2} Jehan Alain: Variations sur un thème de Clément Jannequin
3} César Franck: Fantaisie in A
4} J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541
5} Georg Böhm: Christ lag in Todesbanden
6} Maurice Duruflé: Prélude, adagio et choral varié sur le thème du Veni Creator, Op. 4
7} Louis Vierne: Berceuse
8} Felix Mendelssohn: War March of the Priests

Andrew Unsworth, one of three full-time organists of the Mormon Tabernacle, plays the Kenneth Jones & Associates organ built in Bray, Ireland in 1992 for the Cathedral of the Madeleine, Roman Catholic, in Salt Lake City. The organ has 4,066 pipes, 79 ranks, 4 manuals and pedal, and mechanical key action. {Raven Records}

A performance with thorough preparation and consummate musicianship. The choice of organ is perfect for the bulk of the program material.

Organist Andrew Unsworth delivers a concert like setting of the great masters of the French and German organ repertoire. The recording gives you an accurate balance between the acoustical environment and the direct sound off of the organ. An interesting blend that gives you a pleasing sound.

Composers on this dics are Marcel Dupré, J.S. Bach, Georg Böhm, Jean Alain. César Franck and Maurice Duruflé concluding with Felix Mendelssohn. Some light music and some heavy hitters. A good mix, and nice timing and tempo in the performances. The organ has a laid back sound many will find appealing. No biting reeds or sharp sounding mixtures here. Some good old American mid 20th century type sound.

The performance is on a medium sized 4 manual organ of 79 ranks. It allows great resources and tonality to be brought to use in the performances. And Andrew Unsworth proceeds to impress with his calm command of the organ and his measured delivery of the repertoire.

Recommended for the juxtaposition of the German and French Romantics. This is a great disc to own as a tribute to the sound of the all American organ.

Mark Kravchenko - November 2015