Stanley H. Cox
JAV Recordings
75' 15"

A slightly misleading title, since six of the fifteen tracks are arrangements which include piccolo, trumpet and soprano soloists, and the eight organ compositions are very good but maybe not "masterpieces". The programming of popular items by Bach, Buck, Purcell, Schubert, Sousa & Widor will appeal to a "Classic FM"-type audience; greater interest is to be found in Peter Stoltzfus's Prelude and Fugue, Sowerby's Carillon and Cox's French-flavoured improvisation on "Adore Te Devote".

Having given a recital at St. Patrick's Cathedral, I can confirm that the 5-manual Kilgen organ is one of the largest and loudest you'll ever hear (including the famous Trompette en Chamade on 33" wind!). Everything from Gallery Strings through to the Contra Bombarde 32' is faithfully recorded by JAV. I can also confirm that Stanley Cox is one of the most gracious and charming organists you'll ever meet, and his playing on this CD is consistently fine; treat yourself to his superb rendition of Widor's Toccata! CN