Michael Murray

Michael Murray (March 19, 1943 – September 1, 2024) was an American-born organist and writer.

Biography He was born in Kokomo, Indiana, United States. Murray performed in many major cities in North America including numerous appearances as a soloist with major orchestras. Critics hailed Murray's rare combination of technique, thoughtfulness, and musical feeling. He made many recordings on the Telarc label featuring the works of Bach, Franck, Camille Saint-Saëns and others. He served as a librarian in the Music and Dance Library at Ohio State University.

After previously stepping back from touring and recording, Murray finally retired in June, 2014, from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he had served as organist for 31 years. He was named organist emeritus.

Murray wrote many articles and published five books. His Marcel Dupré: The Work of a Master Organist (Northeastern University Press, ) is in its third printing. He also wrote French Masters of the Organ (Yale University Press, ) and served as editor for A Jacques Barzun Reader (HarperCollins, ). He wrote a biography of Jacques Barzun, Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind (Frederic C. Beil, ).

He died at the age of 81 in Columbus, Ohio.

Discography Bach at The Methuen Memorial Music Hall Bach at The First Congregational Church, Los Angeles A Recital of Works by Bach, Messiaen, Dupre, Widor & Franck Bach: The Organ At St. Andreas-Kirche, Hildesheim An Organ Blaster Sampler: The Best of Michael Murray Bach and Franck Bach at St. Bavo's: Concert from St. Bavo's Church, The Netherlands Bach at Zwolle Bach in Los Angeles (Toccata & Fugue in D minor) Bach Organ Blaster Bach: Organ Works Bach: The Organs at First Congregational Church, Los Angeles Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Organ (with Rolf Smedvig) Dupre, Franck & Widor Dupre: Symphony in G minor & Rheinberger: Organ Concerto No. 1 (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) Encores a la francaise & Poulenc: Organ Concerto (with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) Franck: The Complete Masterworks for Organ Jongen: Symphonie Concertante & Franck: Fantaisie in A (with the San Francisco Symphony) Music for Organ, Brass & Percussion (with the Empire Brass) Poulenc: Gloria and Concerto for Organ (with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 and Encores a la francaise Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (with the Philadelphia Orchestra) Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Organ (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) The Willis Organ at Salisbury Cathedral The Young Bach Vierne: Organ Symphonies Works by Franck, Widor, Dupre, Bach & others