Naji Hakim: 'Vexilla Regis Prodeunt', for organ

Wayne Marshall, organ

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Music

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• hakim;
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• regis
• prodeunt;
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• st
• trinite;
• paris;
• messiaen;
• langlais;
• durufle;
• isoir;
• marchal;
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• gaston
• litaize;
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• eustache;
• antoine
• des
• quinze-vingts;
• tournemire;

[cliveso]

Where was the recording made? The trumpets sound like they are from Sacre-Coeur.

[4candles]

@cliveso Hi - the recording was made in the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, England.

[originaltommy]

I'm closing a noon hour concert with this here in Toronto in late August (23rd, St. James Cathedral). Jongen Sonata Eroica before that. Starting with Vierne 6 Final. Yes, I wear deodorant.

[4candles]

@originaltommy Fantastic concert you've got right there! The Vierne and Jongen pieces are two of my all time favourite works for organ, though I have yet to hear a completely satisfying performance of the Jongen! If I lived in south east Canada, I would definitely look this concert up! Good luck!

[EccentricRichard]

@4candles - also, having listened to his 50th birthday recital at Bridgwater Hall, he wasn't just FAR too fast, but also very, very splatty. I've never heard such a bad Saint-Seans Danse Macabre, for example.

[originaltommy]

Thanks! No luck needed. I didn't study this work first-hand with Naji, but as close as could be possible. In fact, I have the original score, a facsimile of the manuscript (that's how I learned it!) and I also have an early working of this, by Naji, on cassette tape. However, that version is different than the published version we have here. Mr. Marshall doesn't 'get' Hakim. I tack on five minutes to this (like the maitre does) and it's even MORE exciting!!!!!

[originaltommy]

@cliveso I can't answer that. Either way, this performance is, well, accurate. But it's far too fast, self-important, and has nothing of the essence that makes it 'Naji'

I can say this with confidence. I have (on cassette and paper only, from 1995) the original score of this, and Naji's 'working' recording or version of this work. Leo Abbott in Boston premiered this extraordinary work. I was happy to give the first performance in Canada in the same year. I need to get the VHS tape converted.

[originaltommy]

@4candles I did indeed! I have it on videotape and would love to get it transferred at some point. With all due respect as well, to Mr. Marshall, this is played FAR FAR too fast!!!!

[4candles]

@EccentricRichard It's true he is a great jazz pianist - his recordings of Gershwin have been very well received. In terms of the tempi he uses, I suppose you are either going to like them or not like them. Some of his interpretations are too fast, but others, like the ones of his I have posted, work very well, but like everyone else, that's just my personal opinion.

[EccentricRichard]

@4candles - divides the critics? Everyone I've ever met thinks he's crap. He's such a flash showoff, plays everything way too fast... his "Transports de Joie" at the Proms about ten years ago (which is on YouTube) is just one example. If only he'd stuck to being a jazz pianist, because he's bloody brilliant at that.

[originaltommy]

@4candles Thanks! Yes, I did!!!  I even have a video tape of it somewhere...Lord it was 1995! Haha! I'd love to get it converted somehow and upload it!

[originaltommy]

@PJMurray730 YES!!! It was very clear on the manuscript I had from Naji (his writing is phenomenal too!), inscribed right at the top of the first page. It was a treat to work from that copy of the manuscript, which I have cherished since. I suspect Leo likely would have done the same thing, and I bet he gave one hell of a world premiere!