Here's Hector
Here's Hector
Hector Olivera
At The Console Of A Custom-Designed Three Manual Organ Complex
Eagle Associate Recording EAR 10208
From the back cover: ABOUT HECTOR – It has been said, "once in each generation there appears in the world of music a performing artist who is bound to surpass the talents of his fellow contemporaries, an artist who stands in a class by himself." It is just such a performer that we are privileged to hear in this album.
At a mere twenty-six... Hector Olivera is considered by many, to be one of the greatest organists the world has yet produced! His solid classical background is most evident, as this ninety-eight pounds of dynamite combines a subtle blend of improvisation and harmony, in his interpretation of all the selections rendered here.
The place: Buenos Aires, Argentina. The time: February 16, 1946. Hector Julio Olivera came into being... destined to become a phenomenon of our time!
Hector's musical career began at the age of three, with his father as teacher. His first engagement came two years later, when he replaced his father as organist at the Church Of The Immaculate. The following year he offered his first recital, making use of the pedals. In 1952 Hector started serious study in organ as well as harmony, counterpoint and fugue at the Buenos Aires Conservatory. It was here he began to develop the art of improvisation. When only nine years of age the Buenos Aires Symphony performed his Suite, composed for oboe and string orchestra. Several years later the same work was played at the Presidential House in a concert celebrating the Sesquicentennial Of The National Revolution Of May. At twelve, Hector became the youngest student to enter the University Of Buenos Aires where he furthered his organ studies. After receiving his degree he headed the organ department at the University for one year. Up to this point, Hector performed more than three hundred concerts in Argen- tina and Brazil as well as appearing many times on radio and television.
In 1964 a desire to come to the United States was met with a scholarship offered by the Julliard School of Music, where he studied organ and music history with Dr. Vernon de Tar.
Space does not permit listing all credits earned by this young virtuoso, however, some of the more important include: Winner of the National Competition On Improvisation sponsored by the American Guild Of Organists, a Carnegie Hall concert that attracted by far the largest audience ever to attend an organ recital in their history and ended with a two minute standing ovation, a performance for the Pope during his visit to the Vatican Pavilion at the World's Fair, concerts at such renowned churches as St. Thomas and the Cathedral Of St. John The Divine in New York, as well as many television appearances in this country and abroad. A few more current facts include: Performing at the 1972 National Association Of Music Merchants Convention in Chicago, where he was offered several international concerts of which twenty are to be in Australia. Appearing at the Tivoli Theatre for the 1972 American Theatre Organ Society Convention in Washington D. C., where he received four standing ovations and some stated, "it was the most outstanding performance they had ever witnessed. Well wishers stood in line more than an hour to shake hands and receive autographs. Visitors from England said, "if they didn't hear another thing, he was worth their trip and asked to have fifty albums sent as soon as available."
Hector has been invited to play the Radio City organ in New York, the Wannamaker organ in Philadelphia and the Harold Lloyd estate organ in Hollywood. This past year he has presented more than one hundred concerts throughout the United States. At a recent performance, Dr. William Barnes, world renowned authority on organ, remarked to the audience, "Hector Olivera is not just another talented organist, but a great musician with a magic touch... one of the greatest I have heard!"
This album was recorded at Conley's Motor Inn of Monroeville located twelve miles east of Pittsburgh on Business Route 22, where Hector is currently appearing. Long recognized as the "Nation's Organ Center," Conley's continually attracts leading organists and organ buffs from all parts of the world. One of the many feats that this internationally acclaimed South American never ceases to amaze enthusiasts with, is his unbelievable rendition of "The Flight Of The Bumble Bee" played on the pedalboard. It must be said, "this young genius of the organ is unequaled with the incredible hand and pedal technique he possesses."
ABOUT THE RECORDING
In order to capture the sound as one would hear it in The Irish Pub at Conley's and still maintain the full stereo separation so apparent in this recording, audio engineer Paul Engle decided to record the organ voices using separate channels, each utilizing the finest condenser microphones, and then master mix all voices into the two channels heard on this album. – Walt Molt
Lady
It's Not For Me To Say
Taboo
Secret Love
Theme From The Godfather
There Will Never Be Another You
Danny Boy
Who Can I Turn To
It Must Be Him
Lu Jon
