The Bells of Hinckley by Louis Vierne

Les Cloches de Hinckley (The Bells of Hinckley) by Louis Vierne (1870-1937), written in 1927, the finale from the final Suite #4 of Pieces of Fantasy, which Vierne wrote for his successful American tour. This piece is scenic and mystical, reminding me of church bell sounds ringing out over the European landscape, awakening God's presence among the people as they go about their day. Performed in about 1987 by Olivier Latry, organist at Notre Dame, where Vierne himself was organist from 1900 until his death at the organ bench while practicing for a concert in 1937. According to a poster on the Magle organ music forum, it was not St. Peter's but St. Mary's church in Hinckley whose bells inspired this piece, while Vierne was on concert tour there. St. Peter's was the only church in Hinckley I could find on the web when I made this video. Later however I found this website:
http://www.stmarysparishchurchhinckley.co.uk/BELL%20HISTORY.htm
and at the bottom is the story about Vierne. Interestingly, there was also an organist there who died on the organ bench (Good Friday 1932) .
Please visit my Vierne website at
http://philosopherswheel.com/vierne.htm
See my list of organ favorites with links
http://philosopherswheel.com/ericorgan.html
The Magle forum is at http://www.magle.dk/music-forums/pipe-organ-forum

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Louis
• Vierne
• Bells
• Cloches
• Hinckley
• Notre
• Dame
• Olivier
• Latry

[robertgift]

Thank you, eameece, for posting the recording withe wonderful pictures.

Especially nice seeing photos of Louis Vierne.

[logica10]

wow... this is the first time I heard this. Absolutely mesmerized. From 6:11 onwards the organ demonstrates why is the king of instruments. An overpowering finale with unmatched dynamic range. Great rendition! Thanks for sharing.

[churchwhistles]

I can hardly believe that Vierne would ever be disturbed by bells. He seemed to have been inspired by bells!

[irkibby]

That was an odd feeling of recognition... I took the picture of the bell at 1:10 , the one wih the red clapper. It is one of eight at Ss Mary and Laurence, Bolsover in Derbyshire. It weighs half a ton and was cast in 1898 by John Taylor, who actually also cast the bells of Hinckley. It is bells like these that Vierne heard...bells hung with a full wheel, rung full circle to changes in the English fashion, unlike all the other random bell images appearing through the video.

[vleermuisje2]

Wat een heerlijke mystiek en wat uitmuntend gespeeld.

Vive Cavaille-Coll et les organistes.

[Blockedify]

Vierne didn't die when practising for a concert. He was GIVING a concert when he collapsed.

[revrstephen]

Yes, St Mary's in Hinckley. Vierne stayed in the George (now closed). Elsewhere on Youtube, Nigel Allcoat has posted the same information: St Peter's RC Church has never had a peal of bells - they are almost uniquely an Anglican thing. Regards. Bob (Associate Vicar at St Catherine's, Burbage).

[Enerjee]

That's St Mary's Parish Church in Hinckley in the UK?

I went to the Primary School attached in the 1970s and I've never heard of any connection with Louis Vierne.

[willowthebored]

Who is that with him at 3:44? It looks almost like a younger, thinner Durufle.

[advisorC101]

I've just felt great master Vierne's presence through this.

Thank you for uploading.