Press Book-HancockGerre and Judith_Press_Book

Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book GERRE AND JUDITH HANCOCK Duo Organists Gerre and Judith Hancock have lived and worked together under the same roof for so many years, it is only natural that they should enjoy playing duo recitals together Their programs are a mix of solo pieces by each artist, duets, and an improvisation by Gerre Hancock Drs Gerre Hancock and Judith Hancock direct the Organ Performance and Sacred Music Center programs at The University of Texas at Austin, where both Professors are creating a Center for Studies in Sacred Music, a graduate program incorporating organ and/or conducting performance degrees with emphases in sacred music Prior to this appointment, he was Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Thomas Church in New York City He has served on the faculty of The Juilliard School and taught improvisation on a visiting basis at the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University and The Eastman School of Music Famous for his choral conducting, his fine compositions for choir and organ, and his witty, musical and electrifying improvisations, he is one of America’s most popular concert organists His educational background included the University of Texas, Union Theological Seminary in New York City and study in Paris He has been awarded the Doctor of Music degree by Nashotah House Seminary and by the University of the South, and the doctor of Divinity degree by the General Theological Seminary in New York Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page It was at Union Seminary that he met his wife, who had come to New York after graduating from Syracuse University, where she studied with the renowned Arthur Poister Judith Hancock is a member of the Faculty of the School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, where with her husband, she teaches sacred music Several years ago, Ms Hancock established an on-going series of organ recitals at St Thomas in New York, performing several times during each season Recent series have included music for trumpet and organ, “Two Organists at One Keyboard” (performed with Gerre Hancock), “The Great German Tradition” and “The Great French Tradition.” In 2004 she was awarded the degree Doctor of Sacred Music (Honoris causa) from St Dunstan’s College of Sacred Music, Providence, Rhode Island Both Hancocks appear on CDs produced by Decca/Argo, Koch International, Priory Records and Gothic Records Current as of August 2007 Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page GERRE HANCOCK Press Notices WASHINGTON DC “With his extraordinary genius in this art and the resources of the cathedral organ, Hancock poured out one of the most thrilling moments heard on any organ recital, with a peroration of indescribable brilliance.” The American Organist “… a triumph of creativity … dazzling.” The Washington Post CHICAGO “HANCOCK IMPROVISES WITH MASTERY” “He is an organist in the grand tradition ” Chicago Sun-Times CLEVELAND “ORGANIST’S PERFORMANCE BRINGS THE AUDIENCE TO ITS FEET” The Plain Dealer SALT LAKE CITY “This New York-based musician thoroughly entertained, amused and amazed a full house of concertgoers.” The Salt Lake Tribune CALGARY “… a splendid feat of musical imagination …” The Calgary Herald BUFFALO “A formidable virtuoso with a breadth of artistic equipment.” Buffalo Evening News ATLANTA “One of the great masters of improvisation ” The Atlanta Constitution HOUSTON “CLASSICAL ORGANIST EXCELS ON A HEROIC SCALE” “Hancock then gave a virtuoso account of his inventive talents, improvising a lengthy four movement organ sonata on six themes " Houston Post MIAMI “Mr Hancock is a bold and daring organist who has a fantastic facility with the pedals and an exceptionally strong technique He likes to perform works full of color and exuberance, and has a flair for getting brilliant effects.” Miami Herald ANN ARBOR “The program concluded with one of Hancock’s famous, indescribably athletic improvisations, which rightly brought the audience to its feet in an unsubduable outpouring of almost incredulous admiration." The American Organist NASHVILLE “It was a magnificent recital from every standpoint truly stupendous technique that left the listener breathless.” Nashville Banner Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page JACKSONVILLE (IL) “HANCOCK PERFORMANCE SUPERB” Jacksonville Journal Courier LONG BEACH “Not only the organists, but every member of Tuesday’s audience, came away the richer for having heard Gerre Hancock He is a sophisticated musician, an unerring technician, and a virtuoso in the best sense of that tired word.” Press Telegram WORCESTER “Radiating tremendous energy and enthusiasm for the music Hancock showed a rare ability to combine control with a spirited sense of showmanship and flair An obviously enthralled audience rose to their feet to give a richly deserved standing ovation.” Worcester Telegram NORFOLK “If the details of the four movements [improvised symphony] were individually interesting, it was the pacing and proportions of the whole work that made it so thrilling All elements were in balance, and manipulated to build to the final moments.” The Virginia Pilot AUSTIN “The most impressive work in terms of startling musical bulk was Reger’s Fantasy and Fugue on BACH, Opus 46 Hancock gave an extraordinarily intelligent and exciting performance of the piece, proving his ability to slip inside the skin of an often misunderstood composer and burst out of it again to serve the music with his own balanced originality.” Austin-American Statesman LAWRENCE “Mr Hancock is an honest virtuoso; he genuinely enjoys playing the organ A spectacular technique allows him to give sensitive, heartfelt readings The whole program was so dazzling that the only appropriate response seemed to be ‘wow!’” The American Organist LONDON, ENGLAND “At Westminster Cathedral, Gerre Hancock showed himself to be an organ colorist in the great tradition of Lynwood Farnum.” The London Times EDMONTON, ALBERTA “Displaying virtuosic technique and uncanny musicianship he turned the comparatively new mechanical organ inside out in his delineation of diverse pieces In so doing he explored the instrument's every possible tonal facility.” Edmonton Journal Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page RECORDING REVIEWS Great Organs of New York (B&V Recordings) “ Gerre Hancock in one of his now almost legendary improvisations ” The American Organist On a Sunday Afternoon, Volume (JAV Recordings) “Hancock is brilliantly successful.” The Organists’ Review “A symphonic improvisation of nearly 29 minutes occupies the second half of this splendid program It is wonderful playing, and we are fortunate to have it available to hear again and again.” The Diapason Fanfare (Gothic Records) “ a legend among organ recitalists and a titan among improvisers.” American Record Guide Christmas Improvisations (Gothic Records) “… musical through and through …” American Record Guide “Hancock takes some pages from his book on improvisation and lives up to the best possibilities of this ephemeral art by providing inspiring and exciting listening for any month or season.” The American Organist “… Dr Hancock’s powerful imagination and sense of form … his playing and musicianship are on the highest level.” The Organists’ Review “Certainly when one thinks of the great organ improvisers of our day, one’s thoughts must turn to Gerre Hancock … The present recording provides us with sterling examples from a true master of the art of improvisation Highly recommended.” The Diapason Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page JUDITH HANCOCK Press Notices NEW YORK CITY “In Liszt’s Ad nos, ad salutarem undam and the Te Deum Paraphrase by Dupré, Mrs Hancock exploited … both the grandeur and grandiosity of the St Thomas’s organ and its giant space Indeed, she played these pieces with unusual virtuosity and forcefulness.” The New York Times LOS ANGELES (National Convention of the American Guild of Organists – 2004) “In Ms Hancock’s hands the whole work (Petr Eben’s Sunday Music) is a sparkling jewel.” The American Organist WASHINGTON DC “Brilliant technique, skillful registration.” The American Organist KANSAS CITY “Judith Hancock closed the evening with Reubke Forceful in every way, at once moving, dispelling, subtle ” The Kansas City Times CLEVELAND “ virtuoso performer ” The Cleveland Press CINCINNATI “Two Mozart Sonatas for organ and strings again reminded us very forcibly that Judy Hancock is probably Gerre Hancock’s most ‘dangerous’ rival … whirlwind digital and pedal skills ” The Cincinnati Enquirer CHARLESTON WV “The Duruflé was brilliantly performed from first to last – ranging from a just-right unfolding of the mysterious, quiet opening of the prelude to a staggering display of virtuosity in the fugue.” Charleston Gazette PALO ALTO “ how elegantly Mrs Hancock played ” Palo Alto Times BRIDGEPORT “Mrs Hancock made the finale as stirring as the actual experience of a Bastille Day parade in Paris – fireworks, cannons, marching troops, cheering crowds.” Bridgeport Post “Judith Hancock’s performances are thrilling …” Church Music Quarterly Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page RECORDING REVIEWS Poulenc Organ Concerto (KOCH KIC CD 7558) “Judith Hancock’s fleetly, incisive, spellbinding, hair-raising performance, fraught with unaccustomed eeriness and rife with sinister grandeur, overtops in spades the likes of Anthony Newman, Simon Preston, Philippe Lefebvre, Gillian Weir, Michael Murray, or even Maurice Duruflé and Marie-Claire Alain … an enthusiastic recommendation.” Fanfare Dupré, 15 Pieces Founded on Antiphons; Eben, Sunday Music “Technically she is superb; the challenges posed by both works are handled with complete brio Further, the clarity of her playing … is in the highest possible league of achievement.” Fanfare “Hancock has a feel for these pieces that comes through Her playing is clean and accurate, and she captures the drama and excitement well.” American Record Guide “Ms Hancock plays with deep love and capable conviction It’s a superb demonstration of a player and instrument.” The American Organist “…Ms Hancock performs the subdued pieces of this set with classic elegance, discreet shaping of the line and controlled but fluid rhythmic flow.” The Living Church “Ms Hancock tackles these short pieces with flair, imagination and assuredness.” Organists’ Review Great Cathedral Anthems XI (Priory PRCD 629) “Mrs Hancock’s brilliant accompaniments ensure that magnificent organ is heard to maximum effect.” The Organ Magazine Christ the Fair Glory (Koch International) “… Judith Hancock’s literally earth-shaking renderings of Tournemire’s magical, mischievous improvisations on Victimae Paschali and Peter Planyavsky’s delightfully demented, scurrying Toccata-Rumba are more than worth a few visits … virtuoso playing.” Classics Today Popular Organ Music (Priory) “… she is a formidable recitalist Her playing is fluent and coherent …” American Record Guide “Judy is, as always, in superb form both in solid technique and in stylistic interpretation.” The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians The St Thomas Tradition (Priory) “Judith Hancock’s performances are thrilling …” Church Music Quarterly Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page GERRE HANCOCK Discography ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON, VOL 2: Live Organ Concerts at Washington National Cathedral, 2003 JAV Recordings Includes: improvisation on the Hymne Victimae Paschali Laudes - J.S Bach, six Schübler Chorales - Sowerby, Canon, Chacony and Fugue - Improvised Symphony on Submitted Themes CHRISTMAS IMPROVISATIONS – Gothic Records Includes: Personet hodie, Angels we have heard on high, I saw three ships, Go, tell it on the mountain and others Using the new organ in the gallery of St Thomas Church, Dr Hancock takes eight familiar Christmas melodies improvising on each to provide a new sound to the traditional melodies FANFARE – Gothic Records Improvisation - Fanfare; Fantasie in G Major, S 572, J S Bach - Hymne de'Orgue: "Veni Creator" (Veni Creator, en taille 5, Fugue 5, Duo, Recit de Cromorne, Dialogue sur les Grands Jeux), Nicolas de Grigny – Improvisation; Hymn Tune "St Clement;" - Improvisation in Free Form – Improvisation; Hymn Tune "St Denio" - Fantasie and Fugue on the name of B-A-C-H, Op 46, Max Reger IMPROVISATION II on Ten Hymn Tunes Includes: A mighty fortress is our God, Were you there when they crucified my Lord?, What child is this? and others This critically acclaimed recording was made using the Chancel Organ of St Thomas Church Available on LP only (Special quantity rates also apply.) When ordering this recording only, please make check payable to Gerre Hancock FROM THE SAINT THOMAS CHOIR DISCOGRAPHY A CAPPELLA II FROM SAINT THOMAS CHURCH Koch International Digital Recording The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, Judith Hancock, organist Works of Sowerby, Noble, Ossewaarde, Parker, Wood, Gray, Stanford, Guilmant, and others (2001) AMERICAN MUSIC FROM SAINT THOMAS CHURCH Koch International Classics Digital CD The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys and The Orchestra of Saint Luke’s Gerre Hancock, Conductor, Judith Hancock, Organist Works of Locklair, Piston and Thompson (2002 GABRIEL FAURE, REQUIEM, FRANCIS POULENC, CONCERTO IN G MINOR FOR ORGAN, ORCHESTRA AND TYMPANI Koch International Digital Recording The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, The Orchestra of Saint Luke’s, Judith Hancock, Organist Gerre Hancock, Director (2003) The Music Office St Thomas Church W 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 212/757-7013 Gothic Records PO Box 6406 Anaheim, CA 92816 gothicrec@aol.com 714/999-1061 JAV Recordings 43 Wellington Court Brooklyn, NY 11230 www.pipeorgancds.com Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page JUDITH HANCOCK Discography SUNDAY MUSIC Organ works of Peter Eben and Marcel Dupré Recorded at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York A Gothic Digital Recording (G-49110) POPULAR ORGAN MUSIC Works of J.S Bach, Karg-Elert, Mozart, Sowerby and Ginastera Recorded at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York A Priory Records Digital Recording (PRCD 599) THE SAINT THOMAS TRADITION Solo organ works by Marcel Dupré: Prelude and Fugue in G minor, Op 7, no and Prelude and Fugue in B major, Op 7, no Recorded at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York A Priory Records Digital Recording A CAPPELLA II FROM SAINT THOMAS CHURCH The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, Judith Hancock, organist Works of Sowerby, Noble, Ossewaarde, Parker, Wood, Gray, Stanford, Guilmant, and others (2001) Koch International Digital Recording (3-7351-2H1) AMERICAN MUSIC FROM SAINT THOMAS CHURCH The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys and The Orchestra of Saint Luke’s, Judith Hancock, Organist Works of Locklair, Piston and Thompson (2002) Koch International Classics Digital CD GABRIEL FAURE, REQUIEM, Francis Poulenc, Concerto in G Minor for Organ, Orchestra and Tympani The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys with The Orchestra of Saint Luke’s, Judith Hancock, Organist (2003) Koch International Digital Recording Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page 10 GERRE HANCOCK Printed Music * = Brass parts available upon request from the publisher CHORAL MUSIC Song Title Arranger/ Composer Publisher Cat # Year Deep River Hancock Hal Leonard Co F2273 1989 Missa Resurrectionis Hancock Oxford University Press 94.213 1976 Teach Me, My God and King Hancock H.W Gray/C.P.P Belwin/ Warner Bros Publications 3381 1977 *Go Ye Therefore Hancock H.W Gray/C.P.P Belwin/ Warner Bros Publications 3331 1975 Kindle the Gift of God Hancock Oxford University Press 94.298 1999 *Introit for a Feast Day Hancock Galleon Press 3012.13 1992 Judge Eternal Hancock Oxford University Press 94228 1988 *A Song to the Lamb Hancock Oxford University Press 98.201 2000 *Christ Has Conquered (Christus vincit) Noyon Oxford University Press Arr Hancock 94232 1991 Out of the Deep, Psalm 130 Hancock H.W Gray/C.P.P Belwin/ Warner Bros Publications 2798 1964 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Hancock Oxford University Press 94.296 1999 Eternal God Hancock Oxford University Press 94.244 1993 The Lord will surely come Hancock Oxford University Press 94.245 1993 O Lord our Govenor Hancock Oxford University Press 94.267 1998 O King Enthroned on High Hancock Oxford University Press 94.268 1998 O be Joyful in the Lord Hancock Oxford University Press 94.249 1995 Preces and Responses Hancock Paraclete Press 09712 1997 Come, ye lofty Come, ye lowly Hancock Oxford University Press 94.266 1998 Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page 11 Christ Our Passover Oxford University Press 94.203 2000 Earthquake, Wind and Fire Trinitas Press 4570 2002 Psalm 149 Oxford University Press 0-19386702-8 2004 You Are One In Christ Jesus Paraclete Press Give Thanks to the Lord Hancock Hinshaw Music Inc 2006 HMC2162 2008 0018272 Vol 31, #2 1980 HYMNS “Earth’s scattered isles” (Dominus Regnavit) Rowthorn/ Hancock Hymn Society of America Come, thou fount of every blessing (Nettleton) Arr by Hancock THE HYMNAL 1982 New York, The Church Pension Fund O God of love, to thee we bow (St Mary Magdalene) Retell what Christ’s great love had done (Wichmann) Hancock THE HYMNAL 1982 Rowthorn/ Hancock A NEW HYMNAL FOR COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS Yale University, New Haven 1972 Come, thou Holy Spirit, Come Hancock Oxford University Press (Church Music Society) 2001 1984 Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page 12 ORGAN MUSIC A Paraphrase of “St Elizabeth” Hancock Oxford University Press 93.118 1975 The Chenault Organ Duet Library Collection “A Fancy for for Two to Play Two to Play” Hancock H.W Gray Publishing Organ Improvisations for Hymn Singing Hancock Hinshaw Music Inc HMO100 Organ Improvisations for Hymn Singing, Vol Hancock Hinshaw Music Inc HMO164 Organ Improvisations for Advent and Christmas Hymns Hancock Hinshaw Music Inc HMO165 Organ Improvisations for Lent and Easter Hymns Hancock Hinshaw Music Inc HMO169 Air Hancock Oxford University Press 93.104 Bristol Collection Bayhead, Vol Nettleton, Vol Playford, Vol Somerset Hills, Vol Hancock H Flammer Fantasy on “Divinium Mysterium” Hancock C.P Belwin/H.W Gray Prelude on “Hyfrydol” Hancock C.P.Belwin/H.W.Gray 1979 Prelude and Fugue on “Union Seminary” Hancock C.P.Belwin/H.W Gray 1982 Meditation on “Union Seminary” Hancock Oxford University Press 1998 Variations on “Coronation” Hancock Paraclete Press 2000 Variations on “Palm Beach” Hancock Oxford University Press 2001 Toccata for Organ Hancock Oxford University Press 2003 Holy Week Hancock Paraclete Press 2007 1991 1991 2000 1968 GB-627 1974 Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page 13 A Work for Two Organists And Two Organs “Palm Sunday” “Maunday Thursday” “Easter Day” Orleans, Massachusetts TEXT BOOK Improvising: How to Master the Art Hancock Oxford University Press 1994 VIDEO / DVD GERRE HANCOCK: The Masters Series, Volume Dr Hancock’s career, performing, and teaching of Improvisation ADDRESSES Oxford University Press 200 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 H W Gray Pub 1/800/327-7643 Belwin Mills Publishing Warner Brothers PO Box 4340 Miami, FL 33014 Galleon Press The Boston Music Co Airport Drive Hopedale, MA 01747 Hinshaw Music, Inc PO Box 470 Chapel Hill, NC 27414 Harold Flammer Music Sales Corp 257 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10010 Paraclete Press PO Box 1586 Orleans, MA 02653 Trinitas Press 5536 NE Hassalo Portland, OR 97213 American Guild of Organists 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260 New York, NY 10115 AGO 2006 Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page 14 GERRE HANCOCK Improvisation Improvisation has long been a subject of consuming interest to Gerre Hancock, who was fortunate to have studied the subject with Nadia Boulanger, Jean Langlais and Searle Wright A large part of the organ music for the services at Saint Thomas Church (where Dr Hancock was Organist and Master of Choristers for more than thirty years) includes improvisation on various themes presented within the course of each day’s liturgical and musical numbers Mr Hancock enjoys improvising in the various classical forms, with particular emphasis on contrapuntal forms, especially fugal Dr Hancock teaches improvisation at The School of Music of The University of Texas at Austin The Sacred Music Studies Center at the university is being founded to include an Improvisation Academy as part of the intensive study of this ancient and modern art He has also taught this art at The Julliard School in New York City, The Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University in New Haven, and The Eastman School of Music in Rochester He is frequently invited to give master classes or lecture-demonstrations for chapters of The American Guild of Organists and other groups on this subject Dr Hancock has also conducted workshops of a more extended nature in a number of leading universities in the United States, and at various Church Music Conferences On his recital programs he is frequently asked to improvise from themes presented just prior to this part of the program His improvisations have been widely praised and on countless occasions have earned for him standing ovations A recording, Improvisation II, of several of Dr Hancock’s improvisations on various hymn-tunes, is available from the Music Secretary, Saint Thomas Church, West 53 rd Street, New York, New York 10019 His textbook, Improvising: How to Master the Art, is published by Oxford University Press, New York Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc 33563 Seneca Drive • Cleveland, OH 44139 TOLL FREE (866) 721-9095 • FAX (440) 542-1890 • www.concertorganists.com ... Oxford University Press 94.266 1998 Gerre and Judith Hancock Press Book, page 11 Christ Our Passover Oxford University Press 94.203 2000 Earthquake, Wind and Fire Trinitas Press 4570 2002 Psalm... clean and accurate, and she captures the drama and excitement well.” American Record Guide “Ms Hancock plays with deep love and capable conviction It’s a superb demonstration of a player and instrument.”... and Judith Hancock Press Book, page JUDITH HANCOCK Press Notices NEW YORK CITY “In Liszt’s Ad nos, ad salutarem undam and the Te Deum Paraphrase by Dupré, Mrs Hancock exploited … both the grandeur