Re: Art of Fugue on the organ

[Bruce Cross <bcross@lara.on.ca>]

Dear Chris,

The complete contents of the LP are contained on Sony SK 52595, which also
contains piano renditions from various sources, in an attempt to provide as
complete as possible Gould Art of Fugue.  The LP bears the words "Volume One"
but no second volume was ever produced.  The recording has also been available
on Masterworks Portrait CD MPK 44841 (with four Handel harpsichord suites) and
CBS Records Masterworks M2K 42270 (with the Bach concerti)
It is an enjoyable parlour game to guess which parts were recorded at All
Saints' and which were recorded in a finish up session somewhere near New York.
Gould was proud that you couldn't distinguish them.
When I asked Alan about a "sore thumb" out of tune note in the tenor on several
tracks, he groaned loudly.  I think he was not notified of the sessions, and was
therefore not able to see to the tuning.  Otherwise, I'm sure he would have.
The original jacket shows Gould at a the console, a typical sixties Casavant
console, playing on the Great.  No sign of pedalling in the picture, and
precious little on the recording.  Score on the rack, but too washed out to see
if it is partitur (likely) or arrangement (less likely?)  The notes comprise a
standard essay on A of F, and this note:

"The organ used in this recording was built for All Saints' Church, Kingsway, in
Toronto, by Casavant Freres Limited of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec.  One of the most
interesting features of the organ is the Positiv section, which hangs exposed on
the south wall of the chancel.  The instrument, while a three manual, consists
of four manual divisions and pedal, the Great, Swell, Choir and Positiv - 65
stops, 69 ranks, a total of over 3900 pipes.  It has excellent neo-baroque
characteristics, ideal for the performance of Bach's organ works."

As you know, it was EP, so the last sentence is now highly debatable, especially
in light of the 70s Casavant tracker down the street at Sorrows.

Regards,
Bruce
P.S. Come and see us at Lawrence Park any time.  The framing and one side of the
facade is up.

Chris Dawes wrote:

> Hello, f-miners.
>
> Can anyone out there tell me if there is currently available a complete CD
> issue of Gould's one known organ recording?