Episode 16 September 30, 2017 Richard Unfried, First official Organist of the Garden Grove Community Church, the Hour of Power and later the Crystal Cathedral.
Hear from the very first organist, following Arvella Schuller, at what was to become the Crystal Cathedral. Mr. Unfried recounts his early years, his training, seeing an ad in the Diapason Magazine, meeting the Schullers, and his audition for the Garden Grove Community Church and its 23-rank Wicks Organ. He then moves on to the beginning of the Hour of Power, the 1969 crusade with Dr. Billy Graham with Dr. Schuller, which may have actually named the “Hour of Power”. In these Pre-Ruffatti Organ years of the Hour of Power, he remembers what those early TV years were like, and even a bomb scare at the Offertory! Next hear about choosing the Ruffatti organ for the Arboretum, the three years waiting for its installation, and the dedication by famed organist Virgil Fox. Finally find out who named this organ “Big Buddha” and why. It is an hour filled with memories of the early years of the Crystal Cathedral that you won’t want to miss.
MUSIC: Fugue and Prelude (1965) Rayner Brown (1912 – 1999) Dedicated to Richard Unfried Recorded on the 5 Manual 116-rank Ruffatti Organ on the album, Thou Art A Rock, recorded by Richard Unfried.
MUSIC: The Church’s One Foundation (Aurelia) Recorded on the 5 Manual 116-rank Ruffatti Organ on the album, Hymns of Hope and Power, recorded by Richard Unfried.
MUSIC: Toccata (Fifth Symphony) Charles Marie Widor Recorded on the 5 Manual 116-rank Ruffatti Organ on the album, Thou Art A Rock, recorded by Richard Unfried.
MUSIC: God of Our Fathers (National Hymn) Recorded on the 5 Manual 116-rank Ruffatti Organ on the album, Hymns of Hope and Power, recorded by Richard Unfried.