Organist Christopher Houlihan releases his latest solo album, First and Last, on Azica Records. The album features César Franck’s "Grande Pièce Symphonique," Op. 17, from Six pièces d’orgue (1860–62) and Louis Vierne’s Symphonie No. 6, op. 39 (1930). First and Last was recorded in 2019 on the Manton Memorial Organ "Pascal Quoirin" (2011) at the Church of the Ascension, the only French-built organ in New York...

Christopher Houlihan pays a loving tribute to the work of César Franck and Louis Vierne on his new album, First and Last. The production values on the album are impressive,

If you're not a huge fan of the organ as an instrument then Houlihan's performances here might make you reassess your point of view. Over the course of these three pieces (11 tracks - 1 hr, 09 min, 59 sec) he expertly showcases the incredibly diverse range of the instrument.

Likewise, the pieces chosen are diverse enough to suck you in and leave you wanting to hear more. A wonderfully relaxing album.

Track listing:

César Franck (1822 -1890)
Grande Pièce Symphonique, Op. 17 from Six pièces d’orgue (1860-1862)
01. Andantino serioso [4:03]
02. Allegro non troppo e maestoso [7:00]
03. Andante - Allegro - Andante [8:16]
04. Allegro non troppo c maestoso [2:49]
05. Beaucoup plus largement [4:10]

Louis Vierne (1870–1937)
24 Pièces en style libre, Op. 31
06. Berceuse, no. 19 [4:13]

Louis Vierne
Symphonic No. 6, Op. 59 (1930)
07. I. Introduction et Allegro [10:13]
08. II. Aria [7:27]
09. III. Scherzo [4:26]
10. IV. Adagio [9:51]
11. V. Final [7:31]

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Darren Rea