Léonce de St Martin improvises at Notre Dame (1)

Leonce de Saint-Martin (1886-1954) became titulaire of Notre Dame de Paris from 1937 until his death. He suceeded Louis Vierne after a decision by the cathedral authorities. But it was a controversial appointment, a petition from 55 organists and other church musicians of Paris has asked for an open contest as were Virne's wishes, but it was not to be. St Martin's appoint ment was to remain controversial for the rest of his time at Notre Dame, his abilities were not held in high regard by many in the Parisian church music scene. Find out more here www.musimem.com/st-martin.htm.

He is a sadly neglected artist & composer of over 40 pieces of music for piano, organ, choir and brass, as well as transcriptions. Foe what he may have lacked in technique and ability, he attempted to make up with a vast number of compositions. There are only a handful of recordings of his playing and I found two short examples of his improvisatory powers on the internet, though I cannot remember where.

This is a highly atmospheric improvised Elevation recorded during mass (you can almost smell the incense). I have no idea from where these recordings originate, obviously from an LP long since deleted, and was probably recorded in the early 1950's. If anyone knows the tune on which this improv is based, please let me know :-)

Another short extemporised piece, a Noel, is available on my account.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Notre
• Dame
• Paris
• Pipe
• Organ
• Leonce
• St
• Martin
• Improvisation

[gjmrs]

Just had to correct your info about his appointment to the cathedral: Vierne didn't want him to succeed, and the 55 organists that wrote to the cathedral chapter were not in favour of him at all. He was an amateur organist, and the paris music world were horrified that the post was given to him against Vierne's express wishes - He wanted Duruflé...

[JFSnail]

thanks for the info.

Having re-read the French source text via online translation, says.... 55 musicians wrote to the cathedral to ask for a contest as Vierne had wished. St Martin was kept on by the cathedral authorities, as he was Vierne's deputy, so they though Vierne would have approved. And so the recriminations began and continued until his death.

It is true that of all the many great talents in Paris at the time that St Martin was chosen...

[Jacobre156]

What is the buzzing sound that can be heard throughout the recording?

[JFSnail]

The track was one that I downloaded from somewhere a few years ago and must have been taken from an old LP, you can hear the pops on a regular basis. The transfer from Lp to mp3 isn't terribly good either, may have been recorded from speakers into a mic.

I personally don't hear buzzing...

[FromHolbergsTime]

A special sound portrait of this grand instrument and fine artist, recorded with an authenticity which still speaks today. **********

Glenn

[daviddifiore]

I believe there are recordings of St Martin playing his Carillon ( it is a disc of French organists from that era;was available through OHS) and the Toccata and Fugue in d-minor of Bach. I found his playing quite wonderful actually and his playing of the Carillon (Suite cyclique) really excellent. No sign of any amateur on these recordings...

[Paxbritannica]

Your LP is LdeSM aux grandes orgues de Notre-Dame de Paris Edition Studio SM 33-22 In Memoriam.

Very rare. Please share more if you find it!

[ds1868]

Sorry can't hear any buzzing - plenty of atmosphere yes, and general stuff due to recording issues etc, but no buzzzzzzzzzing.

[JFSnail]

Many thanks for that info, Paxbritannica!

[Paxbritannica]

This is the bell for the Elevations during Mass, rung in the traditional French way of 1-3-1; 1-3-1 (or 3). Alas, no longer. So a splendidly atmospheric souvenir from the liturgy of bygone days - thank you, JFSnail!!

It would be very interesting to know from whence this short piece comes. It is not the same improv as on the Motette CD10761 "L'Orgue Cavaille-Coll" set. LdeSM was much loved, and the "L'Association des Amis de LdeSM" has many other recordings of him which might one day appear.

[Jacobre156]

Perhaps buzzing was not a good word for what I am hearing... and example of what I was referring to can be heard at 0:15-0:18.