Alan
Morrison
Press Notices
BIRMINGHAM, AL
“ALAN
MORRISON: A RIVITING ORGAN RECITAL, A FOND FAREWELL”
“Independent Presbyterian Church could not have chosen a better organist than Alan Morrison to pay a final tribute to its Aeolian-Skinner organ. Closing out the year’s November Organ Recital Series, Morrison explored the nooks and crannies of the aging instrument in ways that likely have never been discovered. As well as an exciting technical player, the professor from Curtis Institute in Philadelphia was visionary in his choice of colors and ability to shape music into lucid forms, and provided plenty of bravura when called for.”
“Morrison closed with two contrasting movements
from Louis Vierne’s Symphony No. 4. The dark
themes of ‘Romance’ unfolded with searching reverence, only to explode into a
dizzying display of virtuosity in ‘Final.’
It made you want to hold onto the pews to keep your balance.”
Michael Huebner, The Birmingham News, 2010
CLEVELAND “ORGANIST PRODUCES A JOYFUL PERFORMANCE” – “... a rising young virtuoso of flawless technique and refined taste ... Playing most of his repertoire from memory, he communicated a sense of pleasure that lifted the music beyond the notes. “
SALT LAKE CITY “Concert organist
Alan Morrison knew the 4,000-plus pipes of the Eccles Memorial Organ in the
Cathedral of the Madeleine like old friends. His way of combining colors and timbres made
Sunday’s recital the highlight of the cathedral’s summer organ festival thus
far.”
CHARLOTTE, NC “If more music lovers heard the king of instruments played the way [Morrison] did, more might believe it really deserves the nickname. Nimble and fearless, [Morrison] easily made Leo Sowerby’s Pageant and other virtuoso vehicles take flight.”
The Charlotte Observer
2002 AGO CONVENTION “Morrison’s performance was riveting, as was his entire recital …”
“Masterful command of registration and a deep understanding of the work characterized Morrison’s playing of Duruflé’s Suite, opus 5.”
The Diapason
“… a program of grand masterworks played with the surety of, well, a grand master …”
The American Organist
“... Alan Morrison knows something about igniting audience passions. Without hesitation and throughout, Morrison's playing is consummate and dazzling ...”
“… Morrison’s manual dexterity is more than admirable, it is spectacular. He has taken a remarkable piano technique and applied it to appropriate organ literature, coupled with a fine sense of organ sound. We look forward to further exemplary recordings.”
“... Alan Morrison possesses a technique that could chew holes through solid concrete – and sensitive musicianship to boot. There is a personal involvement with the music ...”
“... the performer, Alan Morrison, is very gifted. There is a sizzle in his allegros that is very inspiring.”
“The playing is alert and intelligent ...”
“... Mr. Morrison plays with a maturity that belies his years and an unforced virtuosity that many a more experienced organist might envy … his strengths are clarity, poetry, precision and coloristic sensitivity.”
“Alan Morrison certainly has the measure of it in a program which does not waste time with trivia. Good solid core repertoire this, and played with a refreshing depth of interpretative insight. … In the Reubke Sonata we have a magnificent performance – virtuoso in technique, musical in approach, glorious in sound. A most enjoyable disc.”