Recordings available from the performer after concerts and through music stores & web sites

ORGAN SOLO

Symphonic Quest

Stuart Forster’s new solo organ CD [Pro Organo CD 7228] was released on November 20, 2008. The four-manual organ, built by Schoenstein & Co. in 1997 for First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, is showcased in some of Stuart’s orchestral transcriptions and music composed for the organ in America, Australia, France, Italy, England, and Germany.

Click here to see a YouTube video of Stuart Forster performing "Scherzo in G minor" by Marco Enrico Bossi.

1. “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from The Planets — Gustav Holst (1874–1934), trans. Stuart Forster

2. Five Variants of ‘Dives and Lazarus’ — Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958), trans. Stuart Forster

3. Andante con moto en sol mineur — Alexandre Pierre François Boëly (1785–1858)

4. Noël: Grand jeu et Duo — Louis Claude Daquin (1694–1772)

5. Scherzo in g minor — Marco Enrico Bossi (1861–1925)

6. “Cantabile” from Symphonie VI — Charles-Marie Widor (1844–1937)

7. Tuba Tune — Christopher Luke (b. 1972)

8. Choral Song and Fugue — Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810–1876)

9. “Allegretto” from Symphony No. 7 — Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1833), trans. Stuart Forster

10. “Communion” from Triptyque — Louis Vierne (1870–1937)

11. Toccata — Gerre Hancock (b. 1934)

“Forster brings solid technique, a rich sense of musical idiom, and creative exploration of registration possibilities to his performances.” The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, October 2009

Great Organ Builders of America, Volume 8 — Ernest M. Skinner

Stuart Forster’s pioneer recording of the 1931 4-manual Skinner Organ at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, Ohio, is once again available from JAV Recordings [JAV113]. The first transcription of the complete ‘New World’ Symphony is premiered with other transcriptions and organ music from Australia, France, England, and Germany.

PROGRAM:

1. Gothic Toccata — Graeme Koehne (b. 1956)

2. Blithe Bells — Percy Grainger (1882–1961), after Bach, arranged by Forster

3. “Allegro vivace” from Symphonie I — Louis Vierne (1870–1937)

4. Bridal March from The Birds of Aristophanes — C. Hubert H. Parry (1848–1918)

5. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme — Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

6. Tuba Tune — Reginald Porter-Brown (1910–1982)

7. Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” — Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904), transcribed by Forster

This CD is available directly from the performer at concerts, or from the web site of JAV Recordings.

http://www.greatorgancds.com/

What the reviewers said:

“I wouldn’t have missed this experience for the world! The transcription is masterly, its performance quite splendid.... This is orchestral playing of the highest calibre.” The Organist’s Review

“To say that music, player and instrument fit together well is akin to saying that Gustav Mahler wrote some nice pieces for orchestra! ... musicality shines through, this is virtuosity used in the service of the music not vice-versa.” The Organ Club Journal

See the Quotes link for more reviews of Stuart Forster’s performances.

Quotes

ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENT

There Were Angels Singing ― a Chestnut Hill Christmas

Choir of the Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Michael S. Murray, conductor

Stuart Forster, organist

Michael Diorio, organist

Available from Michael Murray music@redeemerchestnuthill.org

1. Once in royal David’s city, arr. James O’Donnell

2. Adam lay ybounden, Boris Ord

3. Jesus Christ the apple tree, Elizabeth Poston

4. Uns ist ein kind geboren (from BWV 142), Johann Sebastian Bach

5. Alleluia (from BWV 142), Johann Sebastian Bach

6. I wonder as I wander, arr. Steven Pilkington

7. The First Nowell, arr. David Willcocks

8. Angelus, David Aaron Miller

9. In dulci jubilo, Robert Lucas Pearsall

10. Glory to God (Messiah), George Frideric Handel

11. Angels we have heard on high, arr. Michael S. Murray

12. O magnum mysterium, Tomás Luis de Victoria

13. Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child, Kenneth Leighton

14. God rest ye, merry gentlemen, arr. Stuart Forster

15. The Three Kings, arr. Ivor Atkins

16. O come, all ye faithful, arr. David Willcocks

17. I saw three ships, arr. Richard Lloyd

18. Up! good Christian folk, Piae Cantiones

19. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, John Gardner

20. Hark! the herald angels sing, arr. David Willcocks

21. Choral Fantasia “In dulci jubilo” (BWV 729) , Johann Sebastian Bach

E-mail to Stuart Forster

Stuart Forster also appears as soloist and accompanist on many other recordings, not commerically available at the present time. Future recordings are currently being negotiated.