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Frederick Swann has a gift which too many organists seem to lack these days: real musicality.
Everything he plays turns into a convincing and moving musical experience."
--Musical America

Frederick Swann (1931-2022), was President of the American Guild of Organists (2002-2008), Organist Emeritus of the Crystal Cathedral, Organist Emeritus of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and Organ Artist-in-residence at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California. Mr. Swann was also University Organist, Artist-in-residence, and Artist Teacher of organ at Redlands (CA) University.

In addition to more than 2,500 solo recital presentations in major churches, cathedrals and concert halls throughout North America and many foreign countries, Mr. Swann performed frequently with symphony orchestras and choral organizations. In 2002 he was named Performer of the Year by the New York City chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In 2004 he was selected to perform the Inaugural Recital on the new organ in The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
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Four Masterworks - Frederick Swann The Riverside Years - Frederick Swann Frederick Swann in Hawaii
Four Masterworks/Swann
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The Riverside Years/Swann
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Frederick Swann in Hawaii, v.1
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Frederick Swann is one of the best-known, and best-loved organists in America. He has been organist of The Riverside Church in New York City and The Crystal Cathedral in California, as well as President of the American Guild of Organists.  In this recording he demonstrates the huge Crystal Cathedral organ with four landmark works by Mendelssohn, Bach, Franck and Wright. Frederick Swann was Director of Music and Organist of the Riverside Church in New York for 25 years, prior to assuming a similar position at the Crystal Cathedral in California. This CD is a re-mastering of two recordings he made at Riverside in 1978 and 1979. The church is monumental in size, with a seating capacity of 2500. For this gargantuan sized room, there are two appropriately sized Aeolian-Skinner organs, which together total 203 ranks and more than 11,000 pipes. St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu was the idea of King Kamehameha IV, and was completed in 1867.Today, it houseslargest organ in the Pacific. Built in 1961 the Aeolian-Skinner organ (4/73) was enlarged in 1995/96 with 54 digital ranks, bringing the total to 133. America's favorite concert organist, Frederick Swann plays a varied recital which begins with the theme from "Masterpiece Theatre."
Organs of First Congregational Church - Frederick Swann Hymns of Vaughan Williams - First Church Los Angeles - Thomas Somerville - Frederick Swann Dubois - Seven Last Words of Christ - First Methodist Church, Lubbock, TX - Gordon McMillan - Frederick Swann
Organs of First Church, v.1/Swann
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Hymns of Vaughan Williams/First Church LA/Somereville and Swann
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Dubois: The Seven Last Words of Christ
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Frederick Swann plays the world's largest church organ!The first organ was built by E. M. Skinner for the chancel of the church. In 1969 a new and larger instrument was built in the rear gallery by the Schlicker Organ Company, who also constructed an Italian-style continuo organ located above the south choir. All the organs can be played from either or both of the two consoles, one in the chancel, the other in the rear gallery, creating a single instrument of great size, containing divisions of contrasting styles. British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams is known for his choral anthems and large-scale works, but he was also responsible for selecting the tunes fo the 1906 version of The English Hymnal.  He wrote some tunes himself, such as Down Ampney (Come done, O love Divine) and Sine Nomine (For All the Saints), and arranged some 40 English folksongs. The result was a substantial and lasting contribution to 20th-century hymnody, which is celebrated in this recording. A timeless, Romantic setting of the agony of Christ's Passion, this CD is consistently a Gothic Catalog best seller.  Sung in English, and beautifully accompanied on organ by Frederick Swann. Also included are Mendelssohn's classic "Hear My Prayer" and Dubois' Grand Chorus for organ.
Hymns at Crystal Cathedral - Frederick Swann Frederick Swann Plays the Gillespie Concert Organ The Artistry of Frederick Swann - Frederick Swann
Hymns On The Crystal Cathedral Organ
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Frederick Swann Plays the Gillespie Concert Organ
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The Artistry of Frederick Swann/Swann
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20 hymns for solo organ arranged and performed by Frederick Swann. Each hymn includes a short introduction, a stanza, an improvisatory and/or modulatory interlude, and a final stanza. "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty", "Amazing grace", "Now thank we all our God", "Fairest Lord Jesus", "How great Thou art", "A mighty fortress is our God", "O God, our help in ages past" and many more... Best-known as the former organist of The Crystal Cathedral, Frederick Swann delivers the premiere recording of the new Fisk organ in Costa Mesa, CA. Swann plays a diverse program specifically chosen to showcase the wide and colorful tonal spectrum of this superb new organ. Frederick Swann plays selections on the recently restored four-manual Casavant organ in Memorial Chapel at the University of Redlands (CA).
Virgil Fox Memorial Concert The Riverside Years "The Choir" - Frederick Swann
Virgil Fox Memorial Concert/Various artists (2-CDs!)
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The Riverside Years, v.2 (The Choir)/Swann (3 CDs!)
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Program Host—J. MICHAEL BARONE, host of the Pipedreams radio program Remarks—RICHARD TORRENCE, Virgil Fox’s Concert Manager  A remarkable concert and tribute to Virgil Fox, recorded at The Riverside Church, October 8, 2000. The list of performers include former students and prominent organists who were greatly influenced by Fox's charisma and musicianship. Frederick Swann's 25 years as Music Director and Organist at Riverside were a high point in the musical life of this prominent church. This second volume highlights his role as director of the choir and is exerpted from services and live performances. Both anthems and hymns for the seasons of Christmas and Passiontide are featured here, and include some thrilling musical episodes. Three CDs at a special price!
   
 
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