Description
Jim Mulally, executive producer
Internationally appreciated organist Jung-A Lee performs an intimate recital on the great Walt Disney Concert Hall organ as a gift to Simon Woods (the new CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic) and as a token of appreciation in honor of the orchestra’s 100th Anniversary season. Jung-A’s infectious and delightful sense of humor infuses her musical performance and our choices for the repertoire.
The concert includes pieces from the Renaissance, the Baroque and High Baroque eras, through 20th Century and new 21st Century music commissioned for this recording and concert in 2017 and 2018.
Enjoy the magnificence and power of the Caspar Glatter-Götz/Manuel Rosales organ in Walt Disney Concert Hall in intimate music, such as in the minimalist masterpiece “Miroir” by Ad Wammes, and in thunderous exhilarating music such as in Bach’s mighty Prelude in B Minor, or John Weaver’s “Toccata.” The magnificent acoustics in Walt Disney Concert Hall (built by Frank Gehry with acoustics by Yasuhisa Toyota) do justice to Jung-A’s performance and to this music.
Jung-A earned her doctorate at Boston University, her master’s at Yale where she earned the Charles Ives prize, and her undergraduate degree at Toronto University. Jung-A served as organ scholar at The Memorial Church, Harvard University, during her time in Boston.
When not performing around the United States or overseas, Jung-A serves as organist at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California and performs regularly with Robert Istad and the Pacific Chorale at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. In fact, it is Rob Istad, with whom Yarlung recorded the choral album “Nostos,” who originally introduced Yarlung Records to Jung-A Lee.
Repertoire:
- Adam Knight Gilbert, “Woods and Brooks,” underwritten by the Horton Family
- Guy Bovet, “Hamburger Totentanz”
- Louis Vierne, “Carrillon de Westminster”
- François Couperin, “Elevation: Tierce en taille”
- Diderich Buxtehude, “Ciacona” in C Minor, BuxWV 159
- Ad Wammes, “Miroir”
- John Weaver, “Toccata”
- Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, “Mein junges Leben hat ein End”
- J. S. Bach, Prelude in B Minor, BWV 544
- Jung-A Lee, “Fantasia on Blessed Assurance,” underwritten by Margie Barry
- Olivier Messiaen, “Les Anges”
- Dudley Buck, “Concert Variations on the Star Spangled Banner,” Op. 23
Neville Roberts –
I LOVE this recording. “Jung-A Lee: A Private Recital in Walt Disney Concert Hall” is an extraordinary album. The quality of the recording, the quality of the playing, the quality of the compositions – superb! A wonderful selection with everything from the fun of the Bovet and Wammes to the breath-taking Buxtehude and Bach. I was enchanted with Jung-A’s composition commissioned by Margie Barry, which is based on a hymn that my wife and I sing at our Church. And how lovely to have a Christian element to the repertoire.
Tell me… I have to ask – did you record this album on analog tape? I want to order a copy immediately. I have wanted a good recording of organ music on tape and this must rank as one of the best. I shall definitely be using it in my reviews.
Thanks and sincerely,
Neville Roberts,
HiFi Choice
United Kingdom
Bob Attiyeh –
Dear Neville,
Thank you so much for your comments. You must be the first person to have ordered this new album, and I thank you indeed for the glowing review. Yes, this album was recorded on analog tape and I am happy to make a copy for you. We certainly look forward to your official review.
Thank you kindly sir. Jung-A and I send our appreciation.
Sincerely,
Bob Attiyeh
producer
Steve Hoffman –
The sound, the music, the performances, all beyond words. I’m so proud to be associated with this, proud to have helped master it. Also, the packaging is really beautiful…. One more thing, I didn’t know my system could reproduce such low notes. You feel some of them below the belt!
You like big organ music? You tired of the same old warhorses? Ready for a unique private concert? You need this compact disk.
The sound that Yarlung Records creator, producer, engineer Bob Attiyeh gets from his performers, hall and special equipment is always the best. This disk is right up there with all the great sounding organ disks, even better as the top end isn’t “tipped up” as is usually the case with music like this.
What else can I say, really? Get this CD. Support Yarlung Artists, a non-profit that is really making a difference in getting lesser known music recorded and released.
Bob Attiyeh –
Steve, thanks so much. This review, coming from “The Master” means so much to Jung-A and to me. Who knew, when you took Yarlung under your wing 14 years ago that we would be able to make 40 or so albums together. What a fabulous journey. Thanks for guiding us patiently and wisely the entire time. –Bob Attiyeh
Marcus LaCroix –
Is this available on iTunes? I would like to get a couple of tracks (Because I’m impatient and cant wait to hear it) but will get the CD this weekend.
Bob Attiyeh –
Dear Marcus, Thanks so much for your question. Yes, the album will be available on iTunes (I proofed the track lineup today). iTunes is scheduled to release this album on October 26th (2018) and we will have a live iTunes link on this page in our “other formats” section, next to NativeDSD, Amazon, iTunes and HDTracks. In the meantime, enjoy the CD. Thanks so much for your support. –Bob Attiyeh, producer
Wayne King –
Today I listened to “Private Organ Recital in Walt Disney Concert Hall” featuring organist Jung-A Lee, and I enjoyed it thoroughly! She’s a wonderfully gifted musician and a delight to hear. I think the selections were tastefully and well chosen, and flow such that the entire set seems to fly by at lightening speed! It’s said time flies when you’re having fun. I listened via a Marantz compact disc player model CD 5004 connected directly to Grado SR225e headphones…. I was shocked at how masterfully these recordings were captured! The stereo field is spacious and airy! Practically every note feels like they’re arriving at different speeds and angles, which they are of course, but how well this was captured is astounding! These recordings put the listener right there! The tones of this organ are rich and detailed with excellent balance from top to bottom. Heavenly!
Bob Attiyeh –
Wayne, thank you for your thoughts. We are particularly proud of how Walt Disney Concert Hall presented this soundstage, and how we were able to capture it with the help of SonoruS Holographic Imaging technology. Glad this album flies past with such speed! Interestingly, many of these tracks were single takes. Some we captured a few times, but Jung-A was on fire for this album, and I think this is the energy you are hearing in playback. Thanks kindly for sharing your thoughts with us. –Bob Attiyeh
Brian Moura –
An Organ Recital at Disney Hall by organist Jung-A Lee was recently released by Yarlung in DSD Stereo and DSD Multichannel via NativeDSD.
The recital features energetic performances by Jung-A Lee on the impressive organ at Disney Hall. The sound quality of the album is stellar with Lee’s playing captured in notable clarity. And then there is the reproduction of the bass pedals of the organ. On Track 10 in DSD 256 Multichannel, the low notes in the surround channels were moving my speakers to the point that I wondered if a slightly lower level might be a safer choice as the track built to a dramatic finish!
It’s a release that may have escaped your notice, but should definitely be on your list of albums to audition.
I recommend it highly.
Mark Abramowitz –
From the thunderous passages to the very quiet, I really enjoyed hearing the dynamics, as well as the sound of the hall itself. Disney is in my top three favorite halls to hear music, and the CD reminded me of that. And I will never hear the Star Spangled Banner the same way again after hearing Lee’s variations on it.
This CD will be going into heavy rotation on my system, as it really shows how big a difference great source material can make.
Great job…!
Art Alenik –
Jung-A’s performance is lovely, and I’m extremely impressed by this unique recording.
Recordings of pipe organs usually place you deep in the hall, far from the instrument, emphasizing the ambiance of the venue. This recording feels far more intimate and immediate. I love it!
Thanks again, Art Alenik
Hunter Martin –
Ms. Lee and Yarlung have produced a most engaging and entertaining organ release here, from both performance and musical standpoints. The performances and the selections make the recording one of those rare items – a recording that you will want to listen to for enjoyment and musical delight, rather than another of those efforts made to impress as a “demo” record that is put away after one or two listens.
The selections are clearly made by Ms. Lee as favorites that she clearly understands and enjoys playing. The classical pieces are played with an understanding of their musical value and with a technical ability to draw out and communicate their intent. The more recent pieces that range from studies to “popular” compositions become rewarding as serious works through Ms. Lee’s respectful presentation and the organ itself, which provides credibility and seriousness.
The recording itself is near-perfect, in my opinion. Having heard the instrument in person I can vouch for the accurate and natural qualities that are preserved and recorded by all involved. The sound is as it is at Walt Disney Concert Hall – clear, defined, easily understood, and smooth across all of the spectrum. It is real instead of being spectacular, which means that the listener is given music rather than a audio stunt.
Highly recommended.