Welcome to The Latter-day Saint Organist's Resource Blog

The purpose of this blog is to help pianists learn to become true organists. Many individuals believe that if you play the piano you can play the organ, but the instruments differ greatly. While this blog is specifically geared towards members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, much of the information shared can be utilized by all. I hope that the information I share here will help you become an effective organist in your ward, stake, or other congregation.

Feel free to browse and search this blog. It was started in January 2010 and while new posts aren't added very often, this blog contains a wealth of information and is a wonderful resource for all organists. If you're a new reader, you can find the first lesson here: Before We Begin: Acquiring the Essentials. Also, please "like" the corresponding facebook page, which is updated more often. A link is provided on the right sidebar, or you can click here.

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Friday, March 5, 2010

Magnum Opus is Again Available

magnum opus

If you haven't yet, I recommend subscribing to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir List. It provides a wealth of information weekly. If interested, you can sign up here.

In today's email, I learned that Magnum Opus: The Building of the Schoenstein Organ At the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which includes a demonstration CD, is now in its second printing. It sold out very quickly the first time, and I missed it, so I quickly placed my order tonight.

You can order it from these sellers:

LDS Distribution Center
Deseret Book (10SCONF will save you 25% right now)
Organ Historical Society

I can't wait until I receive mine!

The full text from the email follows:

Applause for Magnum Opus -- now in second printing

Magnum Opus is a fascinating behind-the-facade glimpse of the design and building of the Schoenstein organ in the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints. The American Organist recommended "with pleasure, this fascinating and well written book."

Now in its second printing after its initial fall 2009 release -- which sold out quickly -- Magnum Opus is a story that needed to be told and is being applauded for its contribution to music history. There has never been an organ project quite like it. It is fitting that someone would write a book about it, one that would interest both the expert and the uninitiated. And not just anyone could have chronicled the story. Dr. Longhurst, Tabernacle organist for 30 years, was ideally qualified having been involved in the decisions from the first discussions in 1997 to the final completed instrument of 130 ranks inaugurated in 2003. "Longhurst writes as an insider," The American Organist states, "but he is aware of the responsibility he has to history to give an honest account of this remarkable installation."

"It was an ideal time to tell the story of an important organ," Dr. Longhurst contends, "while those who were principally involved are still alive and able to provide firsthand information." Not to mention the all-important paper trail.

"There are three reasons why this new instrument deserves study," The American Organist states. "It is large (five manuals, 130 ranks); it represents Schoenstein's distinctive ‘American Romantic’ style of organ building; and it is found within the vast space of a 21,000 seat auditorium. Such a combination easily qualifies this installation as unique and worthy of a monograph as distinguished as this one." In its recommendation the review also suggests, "No doubt many of the stories in this book will resonate with other organists, organ committee members, donors and clergy who have experienced (or should we say, ‘survived’) the selection, financing and installation of a large organ in a new edifice."

Magnum Opus is a publication of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir distributed by Carr Printing and is available at the locations mentioned above.

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