Recordings of the French 20th century organ repertory are not so common these days, for various reasons. They're logistically complex; organists are a clannish bunch (note organist Joseph Nolan's explanation that only an organist titulaire at St. Etienne du Mont may perform the complete works of Maurice Duruflé); and the music has a certain heaviness unsuited to an ironic age. This program, inspired by Woody Allen, of all people (the film Midnight in Paris ), puts the objections to rest. You get the rather terse (by the ...
Read More
Recordings of the French 20th century organ repertory are not so common these days, for various reasons. They're logistically complex; organists are a clannish bunch (note organist Joseph Nolan's explanation that only an organist titulaire at St. Etienne du Mont may perform the complete works of Maurice Duruflé); and the music has a certain heaviness unsuited to an ironic age. This program, inspired by Woody Allen, of all people (the film Midnight in Paris ), puts the objections to rest. You get the rather terse (by the standards of this repertory) Suite, Op. 5, of Duruflé, but perhaps the real highlight is the trio of pieces by Louis Vierne. The "Fantômes" from the 24 Pièces de Fantaisie, Op. 54, are little portraits in sound of a variety of individuals, as often as not humorous, and the Scherzo and Finale, both taken from Organ Symphonies, are equally accessible. The Tombeau de Duruflé of David Briggs, here receiving its world premiere, may be of most interest to those immersed in this...
Read Less
