Louis Vierne Filmed at Notre Dame de Paris

A very rare "short" film of Louis Vierne performing JS Bach's In Dir Ist Freude (In Thee is Joy, BWV 615) on the Grandes Orgues of Notre Dame de Paris. This is perhaps the only known film of Vierne performing. It was part of a 1934 newsreel entitled "Les Mains de Paris" about artists in Paris. Vierne likely welcomed this video since it is also around this time that he was trying to raise money to repair the organ. What is very apparent is Master Vierne's complete lack of extraneous movement during the performance -- a characteristic of the French organ tradition. Although the sound is not well synchronized, it seems that he is indeed playing the In Dir Ist Freude, although some viewers may disagree. Nevertheless, the sound of the organ and performance do indicate that Vierne at Notre Dame is heard in the audio track.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• vierne
• organ
• notre
• dame

[Vierneguy]

golgiapp--Thanks for your response. I feel exactly as you do about this priceless document. There is another film showing Louis Vierne and Madeleine Richepin outside of Notre Dame. It is in Ernest Skinner's Home Videos, sold about 15 years ago by the Organ Historical Society, I believe.

Litaize said Vierne's voice was rather high, more like that of a tenor. Jean Langlais: light, like his own. Dr. Mallet, like Alain Hobb's voice. Mlle de La Salle: high baritone. I know Latry. Disc?

[Sulpice1863]

The Skinner video includes Mlle Richepin and Vierne, as well as clips of Dupre, Widor, and Bonnet walking and standing around outside -- all shot during the 1920s. I was tempted to post these as well, but fear copyright problems if I do.

[gerardbedecarter]

Thanks very much for posting this footage. I hope that the Vierne console will be reinstated one day and the organ restored to its former unmutilated glory.

[BeFrSc]

it was with a large pencil lol

[1JeanDeaux]

Thank you.

[Peronter77]

great job

[Sathrandur]

Definately the In Dir Ist Freude. I love this piece. An absolute delight to listen to and to play.

[HERIBERTO37ify]

Que grabacion tan bella y documental tan fascinante. Saludos.

[christianvs1]

@GeoffreySimonOnline Gosh.....indeed! Too much style and not enough historical tradition; but then the Americas are only 400-500yrs old. On the other hand one could say that they haven't leant much from us in Europe!

[GeoffreySimonOnline]

@christianvs1 There is a good reason why many American organists choose such fast tempi: American churches are notorious for having poor acoustics. The average European church is not afflicted with such sound-destroying accoutrements as carpet and acoustical tile. American architects show little understanding of what makes for good acoustics for choirs, organs, and/or congregational singing.

[EccentricRichard]

@MusicPredominates - no, I'm not... well, I'm not studying anything at the moment! Sixth form college didn't really work out...

[MusicPredominates]

@EccentricRichard : Thanks Richard. Are you not studying chemistry ?

[EccentricRichard]

@3NUNS - indeed. I studied this for my History GCSE. It is my firm belief that, had Clémenceau and Lloyd-George listened to the moderating voice of Woodrow Wilson and not sought to punish Germany, the Weimar Republic would have risen to prosperity, Hitler would never have been elected and would have had about as much influence on his country's policies as Nick Griffin of the BNP does here in Britain...