Dupré Improvising at St Sulpice, Paris

Marcel Dupré improvising on the gregorian theme Veni Creator Spiritus on his instrument in St Sulpice. He clocked up 37 years as titulaire, though this is nothing compared to his teacher Widor, who managed 63 years in the post, leaving when he was 89! It should be noted however, that Dupré was a mere 75 years old when this recording was made :-)

The chant Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit Creator) has been attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856), it is often used on important occasions, such as a consecration of bishops and ordinations, coronations etc. It is sung to commemorate the feast of Pentecost.

This recording was made by Netherlands radio in 1961, and NCRV radio has a substantial archive available free on the web for those that want to visit, www.orgelconcerten.ncrv.nl. I 'borrowed' this one from their broadcast from St Sulpice, which has three other pieces, of which the sublime Franck fantaisie I will post later.

Dupré's improvisations were extraordinary, but perhaps a little clinical or academic for some, Vierne was heard to say upon hearing him improvise for the first time, 'That sounded composed!' He could improvise double fugues, toccatas and ricercares at the drop of a hat, and more remarkable, he said he found it rather easy! From what I can gather, this recording demonstrates a typical Dupré offering.

There are plenty more rare & interesting recordings to come...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Marcel
• Dupre
• Organ
• Improvisation
• Veni
• Creator
• St
• Suplice

[advisorC101]

Are there any recordings of Dupre playing his mighty Prelude and Fugue in G Minor?

[JFSnail]

The only recording I know of Dupré playing the G Minor was recorded at the Queen's Hall London in 27th October 1926. There are three CDs on which this appears:

1 - EMI CD5550372 Composers in Person

2- EMI FranceCD5748662 Orgue et organistes Francais du XXé Siecle 5 CD set

3 - TAHRA TAH 337 L'art de Marcel Dupré

The best transfer is from the EMI CDs, but get the 5 CD set, its got original recordings of Vierne, Tournemire, Marshal etc, a truly wonderful CD set! :-)

[lipsbach]

@JFSnail what about the recording he did for mercury at st. thomas in nyc in '57? that has the op.7 #3 on it. i have the LP in front of me.

[JFSnail]

@lipsbach thanks for the info, never knew about this recording.  Don't think its available on CD though...

[aamusc]

In Murray's book, Dupre is quoted as saying that he practiced 10 hours a day at improvisation while at the Conservatoire.

[JFSnail]

I think that fact demonstrates, no matter how talented you are, practice makes perfect.

More astounding is that fact that his pupil Cochereau, said he never practiced improvisation during his time at Notre Dame, but used his service playing as practice!

[tjugofyra]

I got to say that I like the part 0:01 to 9:10a lot:P

[redletterchurch]

Now THAT'S an improvization! So well developed and dynamic! A service with music such as this...no speaking...no clapping...no lights except the sun shining through the stained-glass windows...would be one of the best ways I can imagine to commune with God.

[vleermuisje2]

Prachtige historische opname.

Marcel Dupre en Aristide Cavaille Coll, het kan niet beter.

Merci bien!

[samthemusicguy]

Just astounding... Maitre Dupre.. I'm glad that such Masters graced the face of this earth to keep the art alive and set such a high standard

[ears61]

I am almost sure I heard a recording of M. D. absolutly wrecking a noble presentation of the Fantasia in g

[menschmaschine5]

@JFSnail Don't forget Stations of the Cross! Those are transcribed improvisations as well.

[menschmaschine5]

@aamusc Dupre was also quoted saying to his students something to the effect of "3-4 hours of practice a day is sufficient for a virtuoso, but a student needs at least 8 hours per day. When I was a student, I practiced for 12 hours every day. You would be well advised to do the same!"

[fanny0820]

@advisorC101 effectivement cela n'est qu'une question de sensibilité et non plus de "qualité ", remercions les , simplement , d'avoir existé , permi ,la construction de tels instruments magnifiques qui coûtent trés chers et dont on ne peut que cependant ,regretter

simplement qu'ils ne soient pas à la disposition "intelligente " de ceux qui les ont payés par leurs impôts .....

[gerardbedecarter]

Wonderful !!!!!