专辑简介

Ashley Miller, one of New York's outstanding organists, has won the plaudits of two noted newspaper columnists, Walter Winchell and Earl Wilson, for his imaginative approach to the console. Mr. Miller, a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, and member of the American Guild of Organists, has to his credit three series of concerts via the WQXR microphones on the station's live music series. He is also a noted recording artist, and has served a total of seven years as organist at the world-renowned Radio City Music Hall. Equally at home in either the entertainment or concert fields, Ashley Miller is presented here in a program of concert and Christmas music. The organ of New York's Academy of Arts and Sciences, used by Mr. Miller in this recording, is a fine, four manual Skinner pipe organ. This magnificent instrument is a far cry from the first crude organ invented over two thousand years ago when Ctesibius of Alexandria, a barber by trade, and seeking a method to attract patrons, devised a gadget which we today accept as the world's first mechanical organ. From this inglorious beginning sprang the most controversial musical instrument in recorded history. Having the distinction of being the oldest keyboard instrument, the organ has received praise and has weathered the storm of criticism. It has undergone a countless number of mechanical changes during the course of its turbulent history, but today's modern pipe organ is still justly called the 'King of Instruments' simply due to man's inventive genius. For his program of concert music, Mr. Miller has selected both 17th Century and contemporary compositions. Trumpet Tune is taken from Henry Purcell's harpsichord pieces and edited by E. Power Biggs. The cameo masterpieces, Magnificat – Toccata In E Minor are from the pen of the eminent pre-Bach organ composer, Johann Pachelbel. The contemporary works include: Choral Prelude No. 3, by the prominent Canadian composer, Healey Willan; Meditation No. 3, by John Lee; Lamentation, a Lenten season selection by contemporary Polish composer, Feliks Raczkowski; Canzonetta by the late Rev. L. A. Dobbelsteen and Festivo by Griffith Bratt, Idaho's outstanding composer. The repertory of beautiful Christmas music is joyfully enlarged by Mr. Miller's significant contributions on the second side of his organ recital. The bright and exultant Hosanna In The Highest is by August Soderman. Also of Scandinavian origin is The Christmas Symbol, by Norwegian-born F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the noted choir of St. Olaf’s College in Minnesota. Dietrich Buxtehude, the 17th Century composer, who was a profound influence on the work of Johann Sebastian Bach, is represented by In Dulce Jubilo and This Day So Full Of Joy, both based on 14th Century carols. Even older is the 'Quempas Carol', circa 13th Century, which has been updated by Ludwig Lenel in a contemporary adaptation called, A Prelude To The Quempas Carol. Mr. Miller concludes his program with Yuletide Echoes – Part I and Part II,... a collection of English carols consisting of 'The Coventry Carol', 'Deck The Halls,' 'God Rest You Merry Gentlemen' and 'Here We Come a-Wassailing.'