VIERNE: Lied, played on Mustel harmonium

Louis 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. His 24 Pièces en Style Libre (Op. 31, published 1914) were written for organ or harmonium, with one piece in every key. The Lied in A-flat major, the seventeenth piece in the set, opens with the melody in the bass, and a rocking accompaniment in the treble. Melody and accompaniment switch hands several times, and the "B section" almost resolves down to G major, but not quite. Vierne dedicated this piece to Paul Fauchet, an organist who studied with Vierne and Guilmant; later he was a choir-master and teacher. Vierne decribed him as "extremely lively, even mischievous, and delightfully musical." Performed by Michael Hendron on his Mustel harmonium, built in Paris in 1887; recorded 27 August 2011.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Louis
• Vierne
• Paris
• Notre
• Dame
• Lied
• Mustel
• harmonium
• reed
• organ
• Michael
• Hendron
• Paul
• Fauchet
• 24
• pieces

[Musique3579]

Oh, just so beautiful on the Harmonium and the 1st time I have ever heard it played on a Harmonium. (I used to play it all the time on Pipe Organ.) Vierne was truly one of the greatest organists/composers of the 20th century. Even Debussy himself approved, and that was really something of Debussy! Splendid legato playing in the French-like Tradition. LUCKY. Sure wish I had that Harmonium. Such wonderful videos you make. :-)