A world-class organist, Dr. Jung-A Lee, released her third organ solo CD, “Amazing Grace,” which was recorded at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles in the summer. This was produced by a non-profit organization, Music Mission International. The organ in the Disney Concert Hall was built by the German organ builder Caspar Glatter-Götz under the tonal direction and voicing of Manuel Rosales. The organ has four manuals, 6134 pipes, and its external pipes often referred as “French fries.”
Her CD represents works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Julius Reubke, Louis Vierne, Massimo Nosetti as well as several works by contemporary composers such as Corneliu Mootz, Edwin Willmington, and Christopher Pardini.
The major work of the CD is the Sonata on the 94th Psalm by the German composer, Julius Reubke. He was born in 1834 and died 1858 at the age of twenty-four. The organ work is considered as one of the most challenging works in the organ literature. In Track 7 of the CD Dr. Jung-A Lee shows her brilliant technique and exceptional musicianship while playing the 23 minute-long work by Reubke.
In organ history Johann Sebastian Bach is considered as the most important composer. His Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 541, was recorded as Track 4 of the CD. Her playing is very delicate and expresses the characteristics of the Baroque era very well.
A couple of hymn arrangements were recorded as tracks 1 and 3. On purpose I chose the opening track to be a well-known melody, “Amazing Grace,” so that people can feel close to organ music. A former organist, Christopher Pardini, wrote a great rendition on the worldly renown tune. Another hymn arrangement is based on, “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise.” Dr. Edwin Willmington, who is the dean of Fred Bock Institute of Music, Fuller Seminary, wrote a beautiful work.
Daniel’s Prayer by Corneliu Mootz is a very unique organ work, as it almost reminds me of a movie theme. Even though the composer had the Bible verses in mind, one will be able to appreciate this amazing organ piece as it brings out so many different colors from the huge organ at Disney Hall.
This particular CD also contains non sacred organ works in order to broaden the audience. A couple of tracks are based on folk melodies from Japan and South Korea. Lee, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, tried to bring out her heritage through the arrangement based on Arirang. This was written by the American composer, Michael Burkhardt.
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