Notre Dame de Paris Pipe Organ Vierne Plays Vierne (3)

Recorded in 1929. Louis Vierne improvised this "Marche Episcopale" for one of the first recording sessions of the electronic era. Maurice Duruflé later transcribed the pieces, and it's those transcriptions we normally hear. Even after almost 80 years, that 32' Contre-Bombarde still comes roaring through, doesn't it?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Notre Dame
• Paris
• pipe
• organ
• orgue
• orgel
• organo
• Vierne
• classical

[a55b47]

And I understand the computerized combination system caused all kinds of havoc -- rendering the instrument virtually useless for a time.

[IDFAFrans]

They where transcribed....by Maurice Duruflé

One of his major pupils at that time...

[a55b47]

I'd always assumed the 3 pieces Durufle transcribed were the Triptyque: Matins, Communion, & Lament for a Dead Child. That's what the Vierne website says, & there have been several recordings of the pieces, including 1 by Cochereau. But the Wikipedia article on Vierne lists the 3 transcriptions as the ones I've posted here, which I've never heard recorded (or performed) by anyone.

[polsterj]

Awesome how much power the reeds and especially the Contre-Bombarde lost over the years.

I'm sure if they had let the reeds how they were, the chamades wouldn't be necessary today.

[Monsignore91]

Sorry, i prefer the organ before Cochereau's elettrification

[Monsignore91]

Is a great performance, Vierne is one of my preferit composers, but i like the Notre Dame organ after the Cochereau's electrification and i like the Cavaillè_Coll consolle.

[FromHolbergsTime]

A grand document of great historical interest. It is a gift to be able to hear this instrument before any more modern modifications. The cathedral and the organ have become international treasures for those who savor such sublime music and art.

[stevebournias]

recit fourniture IV was designed by alexandre guilmant ans installed by mutin in 1904 along with an 8 and 4ft diapason...also the basses of the recit bombarde 16 and trompette 8 were replaced with full-size instead of half-size resonators

[DesireeDeFete]

Can I get-a "Amen!" I love Cochereau's playing legacy, but her really bastardized a perfect instrument. They better not do that to St Sulpice. If I'm correct, Leonce De Saint-Martin, the Organist after Vierne kept the instrument as Vierne, and it was not until Cochreau that this unmusicall loudening of the organ changed. And Im also tired of Organ builders that think "loud" is French Symphonic...eh?

[codeman2008]

And it's nice to know that there's no way they're doing anything to that organ while Daniel Roth and Sophie Veronique Choplin are still there! Saint Sulpice' organ is a beautiful instrument!

[ds1868]

Yes, it sounds more like an Anglo-American organ today. For instance, why did they remove the mixtures from the Swell, added by Vierne in the 30s? Overall a terrible shame, but never mind, we have the masterpiece at St Sulpice just across the Seine......

[codeman2008]

Completely agree, the organ sounded worlds better in during the tenure of Vierne, and even when Cochereau was organist. Much of the instrument, today, sounds a bit... generic to my ears, I don't think they voiced it very well. It has no character anymore, unfortunately.

[BeFrSc]

indeed, a more vintage sound, I mean, the chamade today is 125dB at 1 metre distance, its just ridiculous, yes, it does help fill the cathedral, but its a waste of power. Olivier Latry said that the Royal Albert Hall Organ is like a gentleman, soft, warm, tameable, and Notre-Dame is fierce, big and aggresive."