Michel Chapuis. St-Ouen. Toccata Improvisation.

[vjelis123]

Lo stile gotico francese concorda pienamente con questa musica frastornante che riempie di suoni armonici o dissonanti questi voluminosi spazi come quasi inarrivabili sono quelle altezze gotiche molto diverse dallo stile barocco di Bach troppo contenuto e ordinato, rispetto alla grandiosità di queste costruzioni gotiche.

[kyotokid4]

...one of the greatest improvisors for the organ was none other than "Herr Bach".

Franck was another. Much of his music never made it beyond the walls of Ste-Clotilde.

Then there was Durufle, Dupre, and Messiaen.

Improvisation is the lifeblood of composition.

[notredameswarrior1]

idc what anybody says that 32 foot at about 2:17 wins everytime. truely the greatest organ in the world.

[samthemusicguy]

this must be one of the most beautiful instruments I've heard

[vleermuisje2]

Michel Chapuis is geen "kleine jongen" maar een geweldig groot organist.

Prachtig muziek in de vorm van een Toccata laat hij klinken in de St Ouen.

Het Cavaille Coll orgel klinkt zoals altijd fantastisch. Een grotere orgelbouwer dan Cavaille Coll bestaat er m.i. niet.

[andrechapuis51]

magnifique!

[b0ttomzone]

It sounds to me like he's improvising on some kind of cantus firmus, which appears at times in the pedals, and at times in the other parts

[redletterchurch]

I don't necessarily have a problem with a lot of popular culture and music - but why is this type of music neglected by the modern masses of humanity? I am very, very frustrated with an unbalanced and disfunctional world. I feel as though Atlas is dropping the ball...

[EccentricRichard]

@redletterchurch - yep, tonight, I had Radio 3 on, I was listening to the Minnesota Orchestra at the Proms doing Beethoven Nine. Meanwhile, my neighbours were glued to the telly, watching the X Factor... nuff said, really. Now, I've got very wide tastes in music - I love classic rock, progressive rock, alternative rock, various types of metal and so on, but classical music was my first love, and I will always keep returning to it.

[b0ttomzone]

@redletterchurch I would like to know why improvised music is neglected by most classical listeners.

[redletterchurch]

@b0ttomzone I tend to think that people simply do not listen to enough improvisation to really 'get it'. Also - not a lot of people actually improvise - so there is a decided lack of appreciation. To me - improvisation is the most pure form of music. I fell in love with improvisation when I heard Pierre Cochereau improvise live at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

[Ianthe22]

@redletterchurch Hehe.. i stumbled on this comment and found it amusing on several levels:D. "Pure" and improvisations can be related in many cases:D. And does this mean that all other kinds of music aren't very pure:D? No ill thoughts with this this post of mine. Just found it amusing:D.

[yvesfavre]

MAGNIFIQUE !!!

[blogson]

Michel Chapuis's improvisation style is truly romantic, in keeping with this magnificent Cavaille-Coll organ's capabilities, and he uses quite a number of them in this musical offering..

[FromHolbergsTime]

An incredible display of marvelous virtuosity and among the noblest sounds to be heard anywhere on earth. We really are treated here to a dynamic tour de force of Cavaille-Coll's masterpiece given its full sonic splendor by a truly great artist who knows the full capabilities of this glorious instrument. These pipes and reeds and pedals come to noble fruition in the revelation of inspired moments of improvisation presented here for all to see and hear forever. A gift of highest honor!

Glenn

[AZIMUTH595]

Pour moi Chapuis est le Dieu. Tout simplement.

[543693The]

.....encore merci ....magnifique! je suis profane en orgue. j'écoute d'abord avec l'âme puis le jeu du musicien...je suis comblée.

[1000jensen]

Great performance, just wonderful! Thanks.

[bhigdaddymark]

That was stunning!