Michael Murray (organist) explained

Background:person
Michael Murray
Birth Date:March 19, 1943
Birth Place:Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Death Date:September 1, 2024
Death Place:Columbus, Ohio, United States
Genre:Classical
Occupation:Organist, writer
Instrument:Pipe organ

Michael Murray (March 19, 1943 - September 1, 2024) was an American-born organist and writer.

Biography

Murray studied at Butler University and Oberlin College Conservatory of Music before entering private study with Marcel Dupré in Paris. (He was the last important student of Dupré, of whom he would later write a biography.) During the 1968–69 performance season, Murray performed the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach in a series of twelve recitals in Cleveland. He later commemorated the 150th birthday of César Franck by playing that composer's complete organ works in 1972. He repeated the cycle for the hundredth anniversary of Franck's death in 1990 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.)[1] Murray performed in many major cities in North America including numerous appearances as a soloist with major orchestras.[2] [3] [4] Critics hailed Murray's rare combination of technique, thoughtfulness, and musical feeling. He made many recordings on the Telarc label [5] featuring the works of Bach, Franck, Camille Saint-Saëns and others.[6]

Murray was awarded an honorary doctorate by Ohio State University in 2000.[7] He served as a librarian in the Music and Dance Library at Ohio State University.[8]

After previously stepping back from touring and recording, Murray finally retired in June, 2014, from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he had served as organist for 31 years. He was named organist emeritus.

Murray wrote many articles and published five books. His Marcel Dupré: The Work of a Master Organist (Northeastern University Press,) is in its third printing. He also wrote French Masters of the Organ (Yale University Press,) and served as editor for A Jacques Barzun Reader (HarperCollins,). He wrote a biography of Jacques Barzun, Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind (Frederic C. Beil,).

Discography

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Holland. Bernard. Review/Music; Murray in Franck Marathon. 22 November 2011. The New York Times. 5 May 1990.
  2. News: Authentic pipes just right for Dupre's organ symphony. 22 November 2011. Lawrence Journal-World. Associated Press. 26 April 1987.
  3. News: von Rhein. John. Slatkin And Cso Evoke Grant Park Memories. 22 November 2011. The Chicago Tribune. 7 November 1987.
  4. Web site: Keller. James M.. COPLAND: Quiet City Symphony for Organ and Orchestra. Program Notes. San Francisco Symphony. 22 November 2011. The San Francisco Symphony first performed [Copland's organ symphony] in January 1986...the soloist was Michael Murray.. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406095814/http://www.sfsymphony.org/music/ProgramNotes.aspx?id=47150. 6 April 2012. dead.
  5. News: Johnson. Lawrence. Bach: Toccata and Fugue in F Major. 22 November 2011. The Chicago Tribune. 8 December 1996.
  6. Web site: Morita. Patsy. Michael Murray Biography. Allmusic. 22 November 2011.
  7. Web site: Ohio State honors six at autumn 2000 commencement. December 5, 2000. 27 November 2010.
  8. Web site: Murray | School of Music . 2014-06-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140604151332/http://music.osu.edu/people/murray . 2014-06-04 .

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