Michael Murray (organist)

Michael Murray
Born	1943 (age 80–81) Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Genres	Classical
Occupation(s)	Organist, writer
Instrument	Pipe organ

Michael Murray (born March 19, 1943, in Kokomo, Indiana) is an American-born organist and writer.

Biography

Murray studied at Butler University and the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, before private study with Marcel Dupré in Paris. (He was the last important student of Dupré, of whom he would later write a biography.) During the 1968–69 performance season, Murray performed the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach in a series of twelve recitals in Cleveland. He later commemorated the 150th birthday of César Franck by playing that composer's complete organ works in 1972. He repeated the cycle for the hundredth anniversary of Franck's death (1990, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.) Murray's performances have included nearly every major city in North America, with numerous appearances as a soloist with major orchestras. Critics hailed Murray's rare combination of technique, thoughtfulness, and musical feeling. He has made many recordings on the Telarc label, featuring the works of Bach, Franck, Camille Saint-Saëns and others.

Murray is now retired from concert performing and recording. He also retired in June, 2014, from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he was organist for 31 years. He was named organist emeritus. He is also a librarian in the Music and Dance Library at The Ohio State University.

Murray has written many articles and has published five books. His Marcel Dupré: The Work of a Master Organist (Northeastern University Press, ISBN 0-930350-65-0) is in its third printing. He has also written French Masters of the Organ (Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-07291-0) and served as editor for A Jacques Barzun Reader (HarperCollins, ISBN 0-06-093542-1). He has written a biography of Jacques Barzun, Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind (Frederic C. Beil, ISBN 1929490410).

Murray has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Ohio State University (2000).

Discography

• Bach at The Methuen Memorial Music Hall
• Bach at The First Congregational Church, Los Angeles
• A Recital of Works by Bach, Messiaen, Dupre, Widor & Franck
• Bach: The Organ At St. Andreas-Kirche, Hildesheim
• An Organ Blaster Sampler: The Best of Michael Murray
• Bach and Franck
• Bach at St. Bavo's: Concert from St. Bavo's Church, The Netherlands
• Bach at Zwolle
• Bach in Los Angeles (Toccata & Fugue in D minor)
• Bach Organ Blaster
• Bach: Organ Works
• Bach: The Organs at First Congregational Church, Los Angeles
• Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Organ (with Rolf Smedvig)
• Dupre, Franck & Widor
• Dupre: Symphony in G minor & Rheinberger: Organ Concerto No. 1 (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Encores a la francaise & Poulenc: Organ Concerto (with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
• Franck: The Complete Masterworks for Organ
• Jongen: Symphonie Concertante & Franck: Fantaisie in A (with the San Francisco Symphony)
• Music for Organ, Brass & Percussion (with the Empire Brass)
• Poulenc: Gloria and Concerto for Organ (with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
• Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 and Encores a la francaise
• Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (with the Philadelphia Orchestra)
• Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Organ (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
• The Willis Organ at Salisbury Cathedral
• The Young Bach
• Vierne: Organ Symphonies
• Works by Franck, Widor, Dupre, Bach & others

Bibliography

• 1985 Marcel Dupré: The Work Of A Master Organist. Northeastern, ISBN 0-930350-65-0
• 1994 Albert Schweitzer, Musician. Scolar, ISBN 1-85928-031-5
• 1998 French Masters of the Organ. Yale, ISBN 0-300-07291-0
• 2003 Editor, A Jacques Barzun Reader: Selections from His Works. Harper, ISBN 0-06-093542-1
• 2011 Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind. Frederic C. Beil, ISBN 978-1-929490-41-7

External links

• Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, Columbus Website