Yves Devernay improvising in Notre Dame (2)

Here we go again with another busy, exultant sortie from the late Yves Devernay at the console of Notre Dame, sometime in the late 1980s. It should be noted that by this time, the instrumnet has lost virtually all of its registrational aids, apart from the
General Cancel and the crescendo pedal. Msr Devernay had one or two registrants helping him out, a basic plan of the improvisation would be given to the assistants, and off he would go.

This will be the last Devernay improvisation for a while, all my CDs are in storage until later next month when I'll put up some more, I just happened to have a few tracks on my laptop. Thankfully before he passed away, he did record an excellent CD on the Mitra label (its still in print) and I'll put up a few examples, including his wildly colourful and virtuosic reading of Dupré's Variations sur un vieux Noel.

I should apologise for the sound quality of this track, the organ is so loud, its difficult to get the best quality whilst trying to keep the file small!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Notre
• Dame
• Paris
• Pipe
• Organ
• Yves
• Devernay
• Improvisation
• Alleluia

[willowthebored]

The sound is magnificent, even after Vierne had his way with it. I have a more recent recording of Widor's 5th and 6th by Ollie, and it sounds NOTHING like this. The reeds are quite less oppressive here.

[JFSnail]

I believe the Latry recordings were made around the same time (1988-91), these were made 'in-house' whereas the BNL recordings were their own and used different mic placements. I agree though that the chamades were too dominant!

[ds1868]

Superb. A fantastic improvisation to rival Pierre Cochereau. And this is the Organ before the 1992 restoration - it sounds better then than it does now. Thanks for posting.

[JFSnail]

These recordings have been recorded with the microphones very close! And although I love the sound of the instrument back then, it sounds nothing like the original organ. 

Cochereau recorded before the restoration in the 1960's and to me is was far grander back then. But what do I know? :-)

[chamade216]

Will you post some more of him? To me he was geniuos in every way.

[JFSnail]

Yes, I will post some more when I get my CDs out of storage sometime next month! I am between houses at the moment, after I move I will put some more up :-)

[reidar1999]

I;ve got my hands on 3 cd;s with recordings from mass at Notre Dame back in the 70;s with Cochereau at the console. And these recordings are SUPERB. It sounds to me that the mics are placed further away from the main organ than is common today. And I reckon that it;s due to this fact that one gets the wonderful accoustics of this cathedral. A fact seldom heard on newer recordings.

[DeltaPhi79]

I'd love to hear this guy on the Wanamaker Organ.. XD

[guinguette07]

Poor Georg Friedrich...

[jmeister321684]

@OrganMaster310  Totally !

[jmeister321684]

@CoutureOrganiste Of course Greg, on Ita Missa Est !

[cdmcl3]

nice pictures--wish the recorded sound was what i remember from in-person listening years ago....

[FromHolbergsTime]

Sonic fireworks at galactic speed on an instrument of sustained grandeur. An imposing improvisation in the grandest French style. *****

Glenn

[pjdonagh]

what did they ever do before efficient, powerful and reliable electric powered blowers???? I guess that what we have just heard would not have been possible, at least not in the full,awe inspiring and ear shattering glory of this recording.

[pjdonagh]

....most wives say that husbands have selective hearing and I guess that they might even be right.....!!!