Hakim plays Hakim on the Sacre Coeur organ

Naji Hakim (born 1955 in Beirut) was a pupil of Jean Langlais and he studied at the Conservatiore National Superiere de Paris, where he won first prizes in each discipline. He has also won first prizes in the organ competitions in Haarlem, Beauvais, Lyon, Nuremberg, St Albans, Strasbourg and Rennes. He was titulaire in the Scare Coeur from 1985-93 and upon the death of Olivier Messiaen became his successor in that organ loft until the present day.

The organ is mostly Cavaille-Coll with some additions/changes by Mutin and Jean Renaud. The organ was originally built for the Baron Albert de Espée for his castle music room in Ilbarritz by Cavaille-Coll (IV/70). The baron then wanted another organ to replace it in 1905, and the old instrument was sold to Charles Mutin and assembled in his workshops. It was altered to make it less orchestral in outlook and eventually sold to the Sacre Coeur in 1914 (then still unfinished) and installed in 1919. Resorations and renovations in 1930 & 1960 led to some unwise additions and it was in very poor condition by 1980 when a complete restoration was planned. The restored organ was dedicated on Whitsun 1985.

This Final comes from Hakim's triptych Hommage á Igor Stravinsky (Stravinsky is one of his greatest influences), the triptych consists of a Prélude, Danse and Final all based on gregorian themes. It was first performed at the Royal Festival Hall, London in November 1987.

This recording comes from the Priory Records label, PRCD 327 Great European Organs No. 22. It also contains his thrilling Memor and works by César Franck. Naji Hakim has also recorded other CDs for the Priory, Ursina Motette, EMI, Erato & Organ labels.

Dont forget to add '&fmt=18' to the end of the web address and click enter to hear it in high quality!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Naji
• Hakim
• Sacre
• Coeur
• Final
• Organ
• Cavaille
• Coll

[ds1868]

This is an old fart of an organ, isn't it? And I've always struggled with Hakim's genre, whatever that may be. Perhaps you need a couple of French red Vin de Pays before you can get to grips with this and this pile of old poo?

[JFSnail]

Shame you dont like some of the most exciting French organ music of recent years, along with one of the finest organs in France.

PS I find a bottle of Chilean Malbec works wonders :-)

[ds1868]

Just never got on with Hakim's edgy sound, which actually goes well with the edgy Sacre Coeur instrument, not a C-C but a Mutin. Squeaky mixtures, weird reeds, general lack of balance all round. Really surprised you like this one JFS?

[JFSnail]

It is a C-C as stated in the notes to the right, but Mutin did make changes to make it less symphonic. But to me it sounds very C-C, this organ is capable of beautiful sounds and scary ones too!

Hakim is an acquired taste though, if you hate jazzy riffs and dance like motifs, then you're most likely going to warm to his output.

[a55b47]

I admire Hakim's technical dexterity. And I hear, from all accounts, he's a nice guy. But I just cannot warm up to his improvisations. And I can't put my finger on why that is.

[JFSnail]

Oh dear, I was going to put one of his improvs up as well!! His extemporisation at the BBC proms a few years ago was quite superb too. Having said that, I dont like some of his improvs from Ste Trinite - I dont know why either :-) Perhaps you'll like some of Franz Lehrendorfer's improvisation instead?

[stormkingfan]

At 1:52, I sometimes laugh, because Naji makes the horizontal tuba sound like a giant bulb-type bicycle horn. Accidental?  Who knows.

[organgoesheavy]

@orgatrain

Hoh, did You leave Your bed with the wrong leg??????,

I don´t walk on water and I am not the comment police. I only remembered meon one comment of Yours. My opinion is only a opinion. And Your answer shows some of Your brutality. However, I will ignore that. You used the Pluralis majestatis in "Luckily we live in America". That explains Your special reaction. Sorry Mylord :-) I live in Europe and for my part I don´t like agressive attacs. No war please. Just ignore me,too!

[orgatrain]

@organgoesheavy I fully understand improvisation, and fully understand tolerance and interpretation of many styles, however, when someone basically uses a piece (P. Yon) and does not reference it and play it off as if it is a mystical improvisation from the spirit, its not right. Luckily we live in America, were we can have opinions, yeah he looks silly in a robe and hurts his image. Who are you, the comment police? I'm sure you walk on water. What are you doing checking all my posts? Get a life

[organgoesheavy]

@orgatrain

Sorry, but You commented an other artist in the same, not-seeing- things -of- beauty-way, too. That was among Arthur Nobile. You have been very hard and intolerant to this artist , I think.

[orgatrain]

Amazing some people do not have the sense to or the capability to see things of beauty, they can only comprehend the simple, rather than the abstract. Lucky we have this wonderful thing called beauty and music serves as a means to deliver in as many ways as it pleases, simple, abstract, difficult, obscure. Shut up and open your pores to something new, serendipity is a wonderful thing.

[orgatrain]

Absolutely THRILLLLLLLLING!

[vleermuisje2]

Prachtige hommage aan Igor Stravinsky op een Cavaille Coll/Mutin - orgel met een geheel eigen karakter.

Meesterlijke uitvoering!

[orgatrain]

One of the most exciting contemporary pieces of organ music written!

[MrAlex413x]

that 32' bombarde on that last chord :D wow !!!!!