Jeanne Demessieux: Etude n.6 (Octaves)

Maxime Patel plays the Great Organ Jann of the Waldsassen Basilica, Germany - Extr. from the DVD "Jeanne Demessieux: Complete Organ Works" - Editions Fugatto, FUG025

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jeanne
• Demessieux
• Etudes
• Octaves
• Maxime
• Patel
• Organ
• Orgue
• Orgel
• Waldsassen

[mmtrebuchet]

So I'll admit - I'm sort of close-minded. I want to like this. I really do. I mean, it's had a chance to learn from a few hundred years more than Bach. But it just doesn't sit with me. Bach seems more, uh, accessible. Is there a trick to accessing this, something special I should be paying attention to? What makes this interesting? I ask because I don't know, not because I doubt its interestingness. Any pointers?

[musichiere70]

@mmtrebuchet Dear Sir, I understand your disappointment about this music, but to understand it, you should know the history of these compositions, and the "history" of the composer. J. Demessieux, how was a genius and technically very gifted, while studing with Marcel Dupré, was invited by Dupré to write a very virtuosic work (Studies) for the Organ. This is the reason for which she wrote this impressive work, as a demonstration of the extent to which the Organ technique could be pushed to.

[ryantbh]

Forza Jack Penate

[mrn37]

@sebastianKB And on the other hand, there are those of us that find this far more rewarding to hear/play than Bach.

[SuperVideodave]

@kyotokid4 Yes, but Sowerby is difficult in many other ways and so are Reger and Sorabji.

[SuperVideodave]

@mmtrebuchet Just practice this etude alone for 12 years (everyday fulltime) to play it properly like Demessieux herself, than you will like it.

[kyotokid4]

...almost makes Sowerby's "Pageant" look easy.

[jvinikour]

Maxim! Bravo! Truly impressive. I can really not understand the polemic that seems to exist in the comments. Fascinating music, extraordinarily complex, and amazingly well played! Superb!

[carterdriggs]

This is my favorite movement of the exercises! Well played too! 

[mmtrebuchet]

@musichiere70 Ah, I think I see what you mean - I was listening to the work like Bach, trying to extract a tune - but this isn't about a tune, it's about the instrument, the technique. With that in mind, it's very impressive! With Bach, it is OK to close your eyes and listen, but this etude is better appreciated with the video - watching this astonishing technique is the real marvel. I wish I had ankles like that!

[AristideCavCol]

@mmtrebuchet There certainly is an element of personal preference concerning any style of music on behalf of the listener. However it is rewarding to try to explore a creation beyond those initial boundries.

In his comment, Musichiere70 most accurately describes an approach to Mme Demessieux music. In extension, it is a great approach applicable to many creations that may seem less accessible upon first contact, but one that may eventually lead to exciting artistic discoveries.

[roethinger]

@pharrmoors I fully agree with you about these studies!!! Regrettably they exercise a big fascination with all the organists and the music lovers who confuse(merge) technical performance and music! To criticize these studies recovers from a big taboo because they are considered unplayable