Kunz

Organist Jean-Willy Kunz gathers a group of musicians from the classical, contemporary music, pop and jazz realms for a musical trip around the globe with music by John Coltrane, Sidney Bechet and Paquito D’Rivera, among many others…

This album is the recording of the inaugural concert of the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique at the Maison Symphonique in Montreal. For grandeur, majesty and sheer tonal opulence, few symphonies can stand beside the Third Symphony of Saint-Saëns. The prominent contribution from the organ, the “King of Instruments,” provides an additional measure of imposing sonority to the work. The entire symphony is based on the principle of continual transformation of a “motto” theme. This theme makes its first full appearance in the restless series of short detached notes in the violins, following the slow, mysterious introduction. The attentive ear will pick out this theme in its rhythmic and coloristic metamorphoses throughout the symphony – at varying times flowing and lyrical, detached and fragmented, broad and noble, or agitated and restless. Olivier Latry is organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and organ professor at the Paris Conservatory. His appointment to France’s premier cathedral in 1985 at the age of 23 propelled him onto the international scene: he has appeared in more than 50 countries and on all five continents, as a recitalist or with orchestra.

Impressions featuring music by Coltrane, Bechet, and D’Rivera, among many others, is an album unlike any other. Organist Jean-Willy Kunz gathered a group of musician-friends from the realms of classical and contemporary music, pop and jazz. They embarked on a musical trip around the world, exploring an original and diverse repertoire of traditional Eastern European dance music, klezmer, and jazz. Listeners will discover a kaleidoscope of fascinating music ranging from Petite fleur by Sidney Bechet, to Impressions by John Coltrane, to Frank Sinatra’s hit Fly Me to the Moon. The organ as it’s never been heard before!

James Box, principal trombone of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, presents his first solo album, which includes music that ranges over a 300 year span. He is joined by Jean-Willy Kunz on the Pierre-Béique organ of the Maison symphonique de Montréal.

James Box, principal trombone of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, presents his first solo album, which includes music that ranges over a 300 year span. He is joined by Jean-Willy Kunz on the Pierre-Béique organ of the Maison symphonique de Montréal.