Jean Langlais @ Ste. Clotilde Paris Pipe Organ (2)

[andretchaikowskycom]

I knew Langlais a bit, visited at 26 Rue Duroc several times in the 1970s when my cousin was one of his students. This is an amazing improvisation and I'm reminded of another, after the world premiere of his Solemn Mass, an improvisation on the Lourdes Hymn, and a recording is still out there on the Christ in Majesty LP and maybe a CD now. I was at one of his recording sessions of improvisations and his assistant tapped him on the shoulder when he should finish up in 60 seconds.

[a55b47]

@andretchaikowskycom Thanks for the information. I'm always amazed at the tidbits of history that pop up on YouTube from the most diverse places.

[arkaisk2]

Nothing but a gem. Tell me one musician today that can improvise like this. I hope more people get to know Langlais and his music, it´s so much better than most of our contemporary music. Here´s nerve, drama, passion.

[voixhumaine]

An advise : take time to listen to this piece twice, or thrice, and decompose every note. Then think it came from an improvisation, ...

Ultimate Langlais, yes, I think so...

[voixhumaine]

Langlais is one my favourite composers, together with Alain, Duruflé, Messiaen and .. (in a complete opposite style), Vierne. Dupré on top of that, to supervise the technique! ;)

Every time I play him, I try to put myself into the skin of a blind organist, whose only expression means was music. Because of that, Langlais reached, in my opinion, a kind of perfection. Playing him properly requires a lot of effort.. And derhaps would I qualify this piece as "ultimate Langlais" , I don't know...

[Silverdaddy101]

I, too, studied with Langlais. A spellbinding technician and improviseur, but he could be impossible , at times. The world would be the poorer with out him and his artistry.

[voixhumaine]

@Silverdaddy101 May I ask 2 quesitons? 1) What do you mean by "impossible" exactly? And 2) How did you manage to study with him.. as your page pretends you are 19 years old, and Langlais died in 1991 ! ;) Just teasing...

[Silverdaddy101]

@voixhumaine

The year was 1973, as I recall.

As for being impossible, , all I can tell you is you had to be there. He was not a teacher for the faint hearted.

[gerardbedecarter]

Ste Clothilde is a magnificent Basilica and the Cavaille-Coll/Cesar Franck organ is the most beautifully harmonised instrument anywhere. Its Trompette and 32 foot stops are incredible. I hope that one day the organ will be provided with a rebuilt console and stripped of additions to bring it back to the instrument that Franck knew. I studied Cesar Franck's organ works at Ste Clothilde with Jean Langlais in 1980 but unfortunately I am not familar with Langlais' compositions.

[stylusfantasticus]

What a horrible and unnecessary console which this organ does not deserve. We, every serious organists miss the original one which the MASTER played long ago.

[stylusfantasticus]

What a horrible and unnecessary console which this organ does not deserve. We, every serious organists miss the original one which the MASTER played long ago.

[MeinnameistDreck]

Every time I watch this, I am reminded of the scene in "Schlafes Bruder" where Elias blows out all the candles in the church with the organ. Fabulous! Divine!

[tjugofyra]

Very, very, very, very fantastic impro!

[horses1]

His improvisations after Mass were mystical experiences for sure. By the time they were finished, however, virtually no one was left in the church, except the person cleaning up.

[Lussa92]

@horses1

grazie m°langlais da queste improvvisazioni è nato e sviluppato in me il senso più

profondo della spiritualità contemporanea unitamente alle sue composizioni collegate a quelle del m° O.Messiaen. luigi

[jubilatede]

I do not know a lot from Jean Langlais, but I am also no organist. But I like his music!

[FromHolbergsTime]

Triumphant fireworks for pipe organ. An imposing composition given revelatory expression within one of the loveliest of the great cathedrals of the world.

[connyroncommo]

brilliant i love messe solenelle

[communism45]

one scary looking organ...love it

[organum74]

One of the most beautiful organ in the world !

Maybe it does not sound so good here, but this organ is a real treasure !

I have been a Jean Langlais's student, he was a great, great organist, for ever !

[a55b47]

Jean Langlais -- one of my favorite composers.

[tjugofyra]

They have added chamades!

[Organistcomposer21]

quelle privilege!

[marsvltor2]

Here was Cesar Franck's Cavaille-Coll, until it was ripped out by Tournemire!

[francotenelli]

what a misterious music!