TODD WILSON

Press Notices

CONCERT REVIEWS

LOS ANGELES “Todd Wilson was the versatile guest artist in the [LA] Philharmonic's opening subscription program, moving with ease between main and mobile consoles in music that showed his considerable skills as virtuoso, concerto soloist and orchestral accompanist.”

The Wall Street Journal

COLUMBUS “In…Reubke’s Sonata on the 94^th Psalm, Wilson’s flawless technique and peerless interpretive maturity rendered a performance of the highest caliber. It would be hard to imagine better playing.”

The Columbus Dispatch

CLEVELAND "....a fabulous virtuoso with fleet feet, a prodigious memory and technique to burn."

The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND “ Curator of the Severance Hall organ, head of the organ department at the Cleveland Institute of Music and director of Music and organist at Church of the Covenant, Wilson is not only a virtuoso performer and respected teacher. He is also a warm personality who engages the audience with spoken program notes and a sense of humor.

The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND ORGANIST PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS IN DAZZLING SHOW OF VIRTUOSITY, FUN “A Fantastic concert by Cleveland organist Todd Wilson … A masterly organist, he pulled the right stops, managed the four manuals effortlessly and flew over the pedals with the speed and grace of a toe dancer. Gifted with an affinity for the grand romantic style, he presented his showy program with dignity, taste and skill. His performance, a feat of imagination and endurance, won a spontaneous standing ovation.

The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND (Solo debut with The Cleveland Orchestra) “The soloist was Todd Wilson who became the hall’s organ curator this season. He was just the right musician for the job, tackling Jongen’s gargantuan demands with boldness and finesse and finding the apt registrations to bring character to each phrase.”

The Plain Dealer

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA "Wilson....is a master tonal colorist...consistent security on both the manuals and pedals."

The Birmingham News

TOLEDO RESTIORED ORGAN’S SOLO DEBUT IS DIVINE (Peristyle Theater) “[Todd] Wilson is a superbly graceful and confident musician. [He] took great care to show the organ’s broad range of colors. The program could hardly have been more diverse. The playing was always thoughtful and nuance rich.”

The Blade

TOLEDO ORGANIST WINS ROUSING OVATION FROM PEERS "Mr. Wilson emerged a master performer, in full control of the music and the instrument and with the knowledge to present such music in a challenging, involving way. This is the kind of programming and playing that can win as-yet-untouched audiences to the king of instruments."

The Blade

FORT WAYNE "ORGANIST SPARKLES IN UNIQUE PROGRAM" "Mr. Wilson's program was one of the most varied and unique to be heard in recent years. Mr. Wilson was superb as he unraveled the tremendous power and beauty of this monumental work for organ (Liszt Ad nos)."

Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette

CANTON “TODD WILSON DRAWS AUDIENCE TO ITS FEET DURING PERFORMANCE”

(Performance with the Canton Symphony Orchestra)

“… from the strong opening chords to the hauntingly reverent adagio passages [Poulenc Concerto for Organ and Strings], Wilson was simply riveting. Wilson drew a standing ovation at the conclusion of the Poulenc concerto”

The Canton Repository

SARASOTA "TODD WILSON GIVES SUPERIOR ORGAN CONCERT" "....dazzling performance."

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

LINCOLN "Todd Wilson's breathtaking account of Dupré’s Variations on a Noel was a perfect close to the first half of the program."

Lincoln Journal

ALBUQUERQUE (Janacek Glagolitic Mass) “Organist Todd Wilson from Cleveland added plenty of fire, especially in the final, explosive organ solo.

The Albuquerque Journal

PALO ALTO WILSON'S VIRTUOSO CONCERT "The opening Pageant (Sowerby) was a virtuoso piece for the pedal board; Wilson's feet dashed and up down the whole range at incredible speed and with crystal clarity. … Clarity and precision also were evident in the massive Reger work and the Bach Chorale Prelude. … Wilson's obvious enjoyment of the music showed in his charming and witty remarks about the programmed pieces, which were delivered with the same ease and masterly non-chalance which characterized his playing."

Times Tribune

RECORD REVIEWS

“If it has Todd Wilson’s name on it, it’s going to be good, and usually very good.”

“Wilson demonstrates his complete mastery of the instrument throughout the selection of pieces.”

The American Organist

Music for Cello and Organ (JAV)

“…an exquisite mix of pieces. This is a must-have.”

The American Organist

Frank Bridge and Friends (JAV)

“The playing on this recording is excellent, which should surprise no one who has ever heard Todd Wilson.”

American Record Guide

“Wilson’s playing of Bairstow’s Prelude in C takes one back to York Minster in its concept, and no one could wish for a more Anglophilic performance of Lang’s Tuba Tune.”

The American Organist

George Thalben-Ball and Friends (JAV)

“…sterling performance of GTB’s music and that of his friends. Todd Wilson adopts spacious tempi and elegantly-phrased lines in Thalben-Ball’s melodious music…while the technical challenges of the pedal Paganini variations seem as nothing to the player.”

Organists’ Review

“Wilson camouflages registration changes competently, and constantly treats us to subtle effects like the cancellation of tremolo just before a note stops, a tribute to his intelligent artistry and attention to detail.”

The American Organist

Great French Virtuosic Organ Music (Delos)

"His performance is marked, as always, by sensitivity, musicianship, and obvious agility and dexterity....Wilson once again demonstrates a masterly touch, fluid technique, and a healthy sense of musical architecture."

American Record Guide

"This splendid disc fully deserves its title: the scores are worthy, even great, very French, played in true virtuoso fashion by Todd Wilson....a most memorable concert."

The American Organist

Duruflé: Organ Music (Delos)

"....a ravishing organ disc."	The New York Times
"Performance: Stunning/Recording: Superb"	Stereo Review

"....a consummate recording from American organist Todd Wilson....He plays with the effortless and unaffected fluency that distinguished their performances (Marie-Madeleine and Maurice Duruflé), and with real skill at building musical climaxes....Add absolutely stunning recorded sound and you've got one of the best organ discs to have come along in ages. This is one not to be missed."

Ovation

"Wilson's interpretation of the Scherzo may be definitive....His willingness to linger at appropriate spots and his way of sculpting phrases convey the impression of a performer who lavished loving care on this piece... (Toccata from Suite, Op. 5) Wilson owns this piece....an exhilarating performance....Wilson is well-known as a virtuoso who specializes in contemporary literature; he has a special affinity for French music, and perhaps Duruflé in particular. I highly recommend this disc to anyone who wants to know how this music should sound."

American Record Guide

“The performances....are of the highest quality, and Todd Wilson builds thrilling climaxes as well as articulating cleanly and showing a fine ear for color. The account of the.... Toccata of the Suite, Opus 5, has breathtaking bravura. The spontaneity and power of the playing are compulsive. The recording is immensely spectacular."

Penguin Guide to CDs and Cassettes

"Todd Wilson is a formidable performer, and his playing here has all the expressive warmth, rhythmic perfection and dazzling virtuosity that one encounters in the most superb players. Phrase after phrase is shaped in a mature and loving way to achieve performances that are at once personal and objective."

The Tracker

"Also from Delos comes one of the best organ recordings to have hit the silver disc."

Times-Union, Rochester NY

Todd Wilson, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, New York (Gothic)

"Todd Wilson is a brilliant musician....We award this issue our rare prize of the season."

The American Organist

In a Quiet Cathedral (Delos)

"....it requires a gifted artist - technically and musically - to keep the listeners' attention without fireworks. Todd Wilson is just such an artist. He has achieved that exquisite balance between line and registration that occurs all too seldom in organ performances these days. Many works here are "old chestnuts" for most organists, but his performances restore their newness and freshness....A perfect balance of artist and organ and a must-have recording for any library!"

American Record Guide

"....real music, played by a real musician....for stunning originality, for warm fuzzy surround, for contributing something to the future of the organ, for reaching the public where the public needs reaching, In a Quiet Cathedral wins first prize."