the hermetic organ (2012)

Track Listing
Office Nr 4 36:26
1.1 Introit
1.2 Benediction
1.3 Offertory
1.4 Elevation
1.5 Communion
1.6 Descent
Personnel
John Zorn: Organ
Production
Solo Organ Improvisation by John Zorn
Produced by John Zorn
Associate Producer - Kazunori Sugiyama
Engineered By Silas Brown and James Perrella
Recorded December 9, 2011 at 11pm on the Aeolian Skinner organ of St. Paul's Chapel, Columbia University, NYC
Mastering - Scott Hull
Photography by Michael Macioce
Design - Chippy (Heung-Heung Chin)
TZADIK Blurb
This is the first volume documenting Zorn's breathtaking solo organ improvisations. Although organ was Zorn's first instrument (he often credits Lon Chaney in the silent classic Phantom of the Opera as a primal influence), in 2011 Zorn surprised even his hardcore fans by initiating a new series of solo organ concerts in churches around the world. Premiering at the historic Christ Church in Philadelphia, the word on these concerts spread like wildfire and further events were set up in Belgium, France and of course in New York. Often late night affairs free to the public, the music is breathtakingly beautiful, and distinguished by a spiritual mood that only a huge pipe organ can create. A perfect outlet for Zorn's dramatic sense of color and contrast, we hear the composer’s mind at work in all its bizarre permutations—huge blocks of sound, chords, clusters, counterpoint, drones, ostinatos, lyrical melodies and more—often all at the same time! This CD presents the climax event of Zorn’s acclaimed Composer Portrait in December 2011 at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre—a thrilling solo organ concert unlike anything you’ve ever heard.
Series: Archival Series, The Hermetic Organ
Catalogue Number: TZ7399
Release Date: June 2012