Idenstam: Cathedral Music

Featuring

Gunnar Idenstam

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Composer Biography

Gunnar Idenstam studied with legendary organist Marie-Claire Alain in France and won the prestigious Grand Prix de Chartres for improvisation in 1984.

Recording & Production

Digital technology was used to apply delays to individual channels, making all microphones sound equidistant from the organ and allowing for creative effects like the organ 'walking' in and out of the church.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Gunnar Idenstam, the composer, describes his music as a fusion of French organ tradition, pop music, and symphonic rock, creating a style not previously attempted in organ music.

Performer Biography

Gunnar Idenstam, the organist on this recording, is also known for transposing Swedish folk music for church organ, harmonium, and keyboard, for example in the folk music group plan3.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded using an unorthodox 8-channel multi-track remix approach on a huge cathedral organ, departing from typical two or four-microphone setups.

Recording & Production

During the recording in Hallgrím Church, Reykjavík, a microphone setup dangling 12 meters above the ground collapsed, nearly causing significant damage and injury, but was caught by the organist.