VIERNE: Arabesque, played on Mustel harmonium

I have loved this piece since I first played through it about fifteen years ago, but this is only the second or third time I've performed it. The Arabesque is the G major piece, No. 15, from Louis Vierne's "24 Pièces en style libre," Op. 31. Vierne (1870-1937) was the nearly-blind organist at the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris from 1900 until his death; a pupil of Franck, Widor and Guilmant, and their successor as a teacher at the Conservatoire Nationale. The 24 Pièces were written for organ or harmonium, published in 1914, with one piece in every key. The evocative Arabesque takes us to the Alhambra, or a Persian piazza, or perhaps Notre Dame at sunset, with a lazy, sultry melody rising and falling like incense, over barely modulating chords in the left hand. Vierne dedicated the piece to his student Émile Bourdon, who substituted for Vierne at Notre Dame for a time. Later, Bourdon was organist at the Cathedral of Monaco from 1922 until 1958. Performed by Michael Hendron on his Mustel harmonium, built in Paris in 1887; recorded 3 September 2011.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Louis
• Vierne
• Paris
• Notre
• Dame
• Arabesque
• Mustel
• harmonium
• reed
• organ
• Michael
• Hendron
• Emile
• Bourdon
• 24
• pieces

[Musique3579]

I always loved this piece and 1st played it at age 16 in a church for a Prelude. Sometimes the simple things have a much better impact than the most difficult compositions. First time I have ever heard it on a Harmonium. Sounds great!

[Velostigmat]

Very evocative!

[lindeman1913]

Gorgeous piece! thank-you, Michael.



[Elaguine81]

Thank you....