Léon Boëllmann - Toccata from Suite Gothique

Léon Boëllmann, titular of the Grand Orgue of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church in Paris, wrote the Suite Gothique in 1895, two years before his untimely death at the age of 35. The Suite has gained particular fame for its last movement, the dramatic Toccata in c-moll, that is now one the most popular organ pieces of modern times.

This post, as the previous ones, intends to remember the historical organ of Nole (near Torino, Italy), destroyed in 2006 and now waiting for reconstruction. This recording has been played on a dedicated virtual clone, based on NDB samples. You can read more details in the previous posts.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Léon
• Boëllmann
• Suite
• Gothique
• pipe
• organ
• orgue
• orgel
• organo
• toccata
• widor
• boellmann
• gigout
• Notre
• Dame
• Budapest
• Shirokuma
• Nole
• federico
• piglione

[MrMillicat]

A wonderful, fabulous sound. The reeds are really "crunchy" whilst retaining the fluidity. I wish I could hear this instrument "live"!

[kreutzbach]

@MrMillicat Thanks! I hope to achieve precisely this sound from the new organ.

[MarkHarmer]

I am really fascinated by this - I've commented on one of your other postings. I have been fascinated by both audio and the organ from an early age, and I've worked with audio professionally most of my working life. This is an amazing piece of work - and I'm in awe that you've reconstructed a sound basically from your memory of it and attempted to recreate the acoustic (using convolution?). Anyway, utterly moving and a fantastic testament to you and this instrument. Thank you!!

[kreutzbach]

Many thanks for your kind comments and your interest in my posts! In fact, I remember very well the sound of the organ I played for many years. But, for this virtual reconstruction, I referred also to some recordings that I took after the last extension works and, to tell the truth, to recordings taken from similar organs. The ambience effect is rendered by a mixture of tail reverbs and a custom IR algorithm. Of course, I'm ever glad to share the technical details with all who are interested.

[PianoHero1994]

Awesome rendition. I am considering learning the church organ just to play this song :-)

[MrMillicat]

kreutzbach, let me know when it's re-built, and I'll come over from England to listen to you play it. The instrument that I learnt on is a 4-Manual, Harrison and Harrison at Halifax Parish Church. A genuine "Empire" instrument unspoilt with the 1960/70s "modernisations" undertaken in York Minster, for instance. The Pedal and Great Reeds, Ophicleide, Bombarde and Posaune as well as the celebrated "Harrison" Tuba (25" of WGWP) Trompettes etc are pretty good. Also a terrific instrument.

[geschiedschrijver]

Leon Boellmann one of my favorites, and of him Suite Gothique is definately my fav.

[iandavidhenderson]

This is a beautiful organ with a fine rendering of the Boellman toccata. Thank you for this interesting post.

[Arjunai]

well done:-)

[Psyche777able]

Awesome. Need I say more. Just beautiful. Thanks...