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THE NEW AND THE OLD
Isabelle Demers plays the 1995 Marcussen organ of Tonbridge School · Acis (for availability see www.acisproductions.com)

‘Isabelle Demers at the organ is a force of nature – a diminutive dynamo . . .’ So proclaim the sleeve notes of this highly engaging disc. Recorded on the wonderfully clear-sounding Marcussen organ of Tonbridge School, the programme springs into action with an energetic – but not rushed – performance of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 532. The articulation is smart and there are some cheeky changes of manual in the fugue that bring out the humour of this virtuosic piece. Isabelle Demer’s own arrangement of movements from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet are exciting, expressive and successful, exploiting the range of colours offered by the Tonbridge organ. Does the artist see something of herself in The Young Juliet with its contrasting impetuous and pensive moods? Reger’s Introduction, Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme Op. 73 are profound and searching, and demonstrate the depth and breadth of Isabelle Demers’ musicianship. I should like to hear more of her playing.
Christopher Maxim

The instrument serves Demers and her repertoire well, projecting the Reger in particular with great clarity. Acis’s recorded sound is superb. Carson Cooman, Fanfare Magazine

if you’re looking for an organ disc to rattle the rafters and shake the floor boards, this one should do quite nicely…Demers’s judicious choice of stops and her exceptionally clean voicing, aided by Acis’s clear, tightly focused recording, make for very satisfying modern Bach played in the manner of organists like Simon Preston and Michael Murray.

No comparison is to be made for Demers’s own arrangement of seven numbers from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, for this is an entirely unique creation. It certainly puts the Marcussen organ through its paces and highlights the artist’s technical skills, both as performer and arranger…

Max Reger’s Variations, and Fugue on an Original Theme in F♯-Minor…the music is a kaleidoscope through which pass the bent and broken rays of Bach’s virtuosic organ preludes and toccatas, alternating with fragmentary bits and pieces from his quieter, contemplative chorale preludes. It’s quite a dizzying display to listen to…I found it spellbinding….

This is a brilliantly played program and a superbly produced CD. Demers has my ear, and she should yours too. Organ lovers, revel.
Jerry Dubins, Fanfare Magazine

Rachel Laurin is a featured composer at the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Washington, D.C. in July 2010. Her work, Fantasy for harp and organ, Op.52, will receive its premiere at the Convention. She is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre, member of the “Ottawa New Music Creators” and has composed more than fifty works for various instruments, instrumental ensembles and orchestra. These works have been performed and recorded in major cities in America, Europe, Asia and South Africa. Her compositions are published by Les Editions Lucarel, Doberman, RCCO Publications (Canada), Europart (France), Hinshaw Music and Wayne Leupold Editions (USA) where she is “House Composer” since 2006. She has won many awards including the Prix Conrad-Letendre, the Holtkamp-AGO Composition Competition 2008, and the First Prize at the Marilyn Mason New Organ Music Competition 2009. Acis gratefully acknowledges the co-operation of sheet music publisher Les Editions Lucarel in the preparation of this release. Isabelle Demers will perform Laurin’s Symphony No. 1, op.36 at the AGO Convention.

Étude héroïque is available here:

Acis is proud to announce a distribution deal for our titles through Albany Music. The new and the old featuring organist Isabelle Demers, will be available from Albany and arkivmusic.com from August 2010.

the new and the old – l’ancien et le nouveau, is now available on iTunes.

Delivery to iTunes is anticipated shortly.

the new and the old – l’ancien et le nouveau

debut recording from Isabelle Demers, on British Label Acis

Bach - Prokofiev - Reger

This exciting recording from Acis offers a clarity and depth of color and tone reminiscent of the famous
“Decca sound”.

The performer’s own arrangement of a new Organ Suite of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet is a perfect
match for the Simon Preston designed Marcussen.

An artist from the new world brings her own new take on old and new repertoire, in glorious
partnership with a tracker instrument designed and housed in the old.

ISABELLE DEMERS at the organ is a force of nature-a diminutive dynamo to whom La Presse in Montreal attributed “vehement virtuosity.” A native of Québec, she is rapidly becoming recognized as one of North America’s most virtuosic organists:

• featured artist at the AGO’s July 2010 National Convention in D.C.
• featured performer at the 2008 AGO National Convention, broadcast on national radio
• featured artist at the 2009 National Convention of the RCCO
• currently completing doctoral studies with Paul Jacobs at The Juilliard School
• represented by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists

CD TRACKS:

1 ) Bach: Prelude in D, BWV 532

2 ) Bach: Fugue in D, BWV 532

3 ) Prokofiev arr. Demers: “The Street Wakens,” Romeo and Juliet

4 ) Prokofiev arr. Demers: “Romeo at the Fountain,” Romeo and Juliet

5 ) Prokofiev arr. Demers: “The Young Juilet,” Romeo and Juliet

6 ) Prokofiev arr. Demers: “Gavotte,” Romeo and Juliet

7 ) Prokofiev arr. Demers: “Balcony Scene,” Romeo and Juliet

8 ) Prokofiev arr. Demers: “The Duke’s Command,” Romeo and Juliet

9 ) Prokofiev arr. Demers: “Montagues and Capulets,” Romeo and Juliet

10 ) – 26 ) Reger: Introduction, Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme, Op. 73

THE RECORDING:

• Debut recording from rising star, Isabelle Demers
• First classical release on British label “Acis,” founded by producer Geoffrey Silver of New York Polyphony
• Recorded on Marcussen’s 4-manual tracker instrument in the Chapel of Tonbridge School, Kent, England designed by Simon Preston
• Separate tracks for each variation of the Reger
• Full booklet and program notes by the artist, describing her creative journey, particularly in the creation of the Romeo and Juliet Suite for Organ
• Engineered by Simon Eadon, ex-Decca of Abbas Records
• Double Disc of Reger on an American symphonic instrument planned for 2011

LINKS:

www.acisproductions.com – including VIDEO of the CD

www.concertartists.com/ID.html

www.abbasrecords.com

OPINION on ISABELLE DEMERS

“Stunning…breathtaking…the young organist performed it in an absolutely grandiose way without ever losing sight of the principal theme. But it was pure madness to add anything to such a dazzle. I therefore left during the small encore because I decided to keep with me the impression left by the Ad nos.”
( La Presse, Montreal)

“Demers’s technical and musical dexterity proved that the next generation of organists is well capable of carrying the profession forward.”
( The American Organist)

“Vehement virtuosity.”
( La Presse, Montreal)

“Consummate musicianship.”
( The Diapason)

“Daring and fresh…interpreted with infinite poetry…mind-blowing Toccata confirmed her tremendous talent. With her idiomatic style and her solid technique, Isabelle Demers is an artist outside the norms, or dare I say, beyond any competition.”
( Les Amis de l’orgue, Quebec City)

“A musical stealth bomber”
( Paul Jacobs, The Juilliard School)

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]]> Isabelle Demers at the organ is a force of nature-a diminutive dynamo to whom La Presse in Montreal attributed “vehement virtuosity.” A native of Québec, she is rapidly becoming recognised as one of North America’s most virtuosic organists.

She began piano study at age six and at age 11 began piano and organ study at the Montréal Conservatory of Music. After graduation in 2003 she studied on scholarship for a year in Paris at the École Normale de Paris-Alfred Cortot. She received her Master’s degree from The Juilliard School in New York City, where she is completing doctoral studies with Paul Jacobs. Her doctoral thesis, under the supervision of Carl Schachter, is a motivic analysis of Bach’s St. John Passion.

Isabelle Demers was a featured performer at the 2009 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), in Minneapolis, and her performance was broadcast on national radio. She was a featured artist at the 2009 National Convention of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, in Toronto, and will be a featured artist at the AGO’s 2010 National Convention in Washington, D.C. She has been a prize-winner and finalist in several international performance competitions in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and performs throughout the United States and Canada.

Isabelle Demers is represented by  Philip Truckenbrod Concert Artists.

“Stunning…breathtaking…the young organist performed it in an absolutely grandiose way without ever losing sight of the principal theme. But it was pure madness to add anything to such a dazzle. I therefore left during the small encore because I decided to keep with me the impression left by the Ad nos.”
La Presse, Montreal

“Demers’s technical and musical dexterity proved that the next generation of organists is well capable of carrying the profession forward.”
The American Organist

“Vehement virtuosity.”
La Presse, Montreal

“Consummate musicianship.”
The Diapason

“Daring and fresh…interpreted with infinite poetry…mind-blowing Toccata confirmed her tremendous talent. With her idiomatic style and her solid technique, Isabelle Demers is an artist outside the norms, or dare I say, beyond any competition.”
Les Amis de l’orgue, Quebec City

“The concert was superb! We were riveted! Isabelle Demers-integrity, virtuosity, and charm.”
Suzanne T. Purtee, Church of the Nativity, Huntsville AL

“Great virtuosity, panache, and musical sensibility.”
Lehigh Valley Chapter AGO, Russell Jackson

“Her virtuosic performance combined bold rhythmic drive with the sensitivity of a refined musicianship and a passionate, colorful interpretation of the music. She is an engaging and impressive young talent who is destined for a brilliant career.”
Suffolk NY Chapter AGO, Deanna Muro

Rygpositiv
Principal 8′
Gedackt 8′
Quintaton 8′
Octave 4′
Koppelflute 4′
Quint 2 2/3′
Superoctave 2′
Waldflute 2′
Tierce 1 3/5′
Larigot 1 1/3′
Scharf 1′ IV
Dulcian 16′
Cromorne 8′

Hovedværk
Principal 16′
Principal 8′
Gamba 8′
Hohlflute 8′
Rohrgedackt 8′
Octave 4′
Spitzflute 4′
Octave 2′
Blockflute 2′
Mixture IV-V
Cymbel II-III
Cornet V, fra f’
Trompete 16′
Trompete 8′
Clarion 4′
Tromp. en cham. 8′ I-II

Svelleværk
Bourdon 16′
Diapason 8′
Rohrflute 8′
Viola d.Gamba 8′
Voix Céleste 8′
Prestant 4′
Flute octav. 4′
Octavin 2′
Nazard 2 2/3′
Tierce 1 3/5′
Piccolo 1′
Plein Jeu V
Basson 16′
Trompette 8′
Hautbois 8′
Voix Humaine 8′
Clairon 4′

Soloværk (enclosed)
Flûte Harmonique 8′
Flûtes Célestes 8′ II
Dulciana 8′
Unda Maris 8′
Flute traversiére 4′
Clarinet 8′
English Horn 16′
Tremulant

unenclosed
Tuba Mirabilis 8′ (high pressure)
Tuba 4′ (high pressure)

Pedal
Bourdon 32′
Principal 16′
Subbass 16′
Octave 8′
Open Flute 8′
Octave 4′
Nachthorn 4′
Mixture V-VI
Bombarde 32′
Posaune 16′
Fagot 16′
Trompete 8′

Measures (H x W x D): 9,7 x 12,1 x 6,0

Manual range: C-c””

Pedal range: C-g’

Couplers: Mechanical: II/P, I/P, III/P, IV/P, II4′/P
Electrical: III/II, IV/II, III/I, IV/I, IV/III,
Mech. or elec.: I/II

Tremulants: I, III, IV

Key action: Mechanical

Stop action: Electrical

Combinations: 990 generals,8 divisionals
Rollschweller

Stops: 67

Pipes: 4830