Album Notes

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




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)