Marcel Dupré's career as an organist spanned the first seven decades of the 20th century, and took him all over Europe, North America, and Australasia. He delighted vastaudiences wherever he played, and attracted large numbers of enthusiastic students, for whom his church of St. Sulpice in Paris and his home at Meudon were their musical Mecca. Dupré had a profound influence on a host of musicians who sought his guidance, and as a composer for the organ his place in the historical line of J.S. Bach, the Couperins, César Franck, Widor, and Vierne is assured. Graham Steed is recognized for his skilled and musicianly advocacy of Dupré's compositions and he brings a keen and discerning intelligence to his analyses.

One of the central mysteries of the craft of harpsichord-making involves the choice of stringing material. Years of research by a number of distinguished scientists under the guidance of senior authors, Jay Scott Odell, Chief Conservator, and Martha Goodway, Metallurgist, of the Smithsonian Institution have resulted in a pioneering study of the metallurgy of 17th-and 18th-century music wire. Drawing on the scientific resources and expertise of a number of leading institutions, these researchers have been able to analyze samples of antique stringing material, often of only microscopic size. Their conclusions add significantly to our understanding and appreciation of the tonal qualities of the historical harpsichord and will further the efforts of today's instrument makers to recreate them.

Back by popular demand! All eight preludes have been re-engraved. Titles: * Salve Regina * Virgo Dei Genitrix * Pange Lingua * Sacris Solemniis * Alma Redemptoris Mater * Ave Verum Corpus * Lauda Sion * Verbum Supernum

The Saint Cecilia Organ Library sets the standard in recital-quality church organ music. The series consists of hymn tunes, transcriptions of classical masterworks, and new original works for the organ.

Marcel Dupre prepared these short works, not as "another version" of the famous chorales and chorale preludes of J. S. Bach, but rather as a means of making the beginning organist aware of the beautiful chorale melodies and to prepare him or her for the study of Bach’s works. Included are registration suggestions, fingering, pedaling notation, and dynamics. This is an important book for the development of the organist’s technical and artistic skills, and at the same time for the presentation of beautiful organ chorales.