The Long Hold

One of our favorite moments of the past year 2023 occurred in October when, at age 70, the composer and performer John Zorn finally released the voluminous output of his Tzadik label to streaming services.  Since that time, we have eagerly anticipated and celebrated each new release as it came out.

This month sees the release of the newest edition of The Hermetic Organ. Volume 11 is a tribute to old Baba O'Riley himself, the West Coast minimalist pioneer, Terry Riley. The performance was held in San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral in September 2023. 

Although known best for his alto saxophone, organ was actually John Zorn's first instrument. He credits Lon Chaney in Phantom of the Opera as a primary influence. In 2011, Zorn initiated a series of solo organ concerts in churches around the world, and Volume 1 of the Hermetic Organ series, recorded at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre, was released in June 2012. The most recent Hermetic Organ album, prior to this, was Volume 10 in November 2022, recorded in Belgium.

Enjoy!