Composer: Louis Vierne
Performer: Hayo Boerema
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Brilliant
Release: 2020
Size: 808 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Organ Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 14
01. I. Prélude
02. II. Fugue
04. 03. III. Pastorale
05. IV. Allegro vivace
06. V. Andante
VI. Final
Organ Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 20
07. I. Allegro
08. II. Choral
09. III. Scherzo
10. IV. Cantabile
11. V. Final
Organ Symphony No. 3 in F sharp minor, Op. 28
12. I. Allegro maestoso
13. II. Cantilene
14. III. Intermezzo
15. IV. Adagio
16. V. Final
Organ Symphony No. 5 in A minor, Op. 47
17. I. Grave
18. II. Allegro molto marcato
19. III. Tempi di scherzo ma non troppo vivo
20. IV. Larghetto
21. V. Final
Organ Symphony No. 4 in G minor, Op. 32
22. I. Prelude
23. II. Allegro
24. III. Menuet
25. IV. Romance
26. V. Final
Organ Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 59
27. I. Introduction and Allegro
28. II. Aria
29. III. Scherzo
30. IV. Adagio
31. V. Final
The name of Louis Vierne (1870-1937) will be associated with organ music immediately. As did quite a few other 19th-century organists/composers he used the instrument as a means to perform ‘symphonic’ music. The scope in this respect was greatly enhanced by the new organs built at the time, for instance by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.
The blend of styles in this music for organ is unique. It contains aspects of Romanticism combined with an impressionistic ‘pastel-like’ quality. Like many of his contemporary colleagues Vierne felt a strong fascination with Wagnerian chromaticism.
An admirer and pupil of César Franck at thirty, the virtually blind Vierne was appointed organist at the Paris Notre Dame. Among many other pieces for organ he wrote six (five movement) symphonies, which became standard organ repertoire. Franck inspired him in the use of cyclical elements and harmonic refinement, whereas Widor’s influence is clear in the use of the organ and the classical forms.
Dutch organist Hayo Boerema is organist of the Great or St. Laurens Church of Rotterdam, where the present CDs were recorded on its magnificent Marcussen organ. Boerema has a special affinity with French organ music, he is currently recording all of Messiaen’s organ music and has already released the organ music by Alain. For this he received the silver medal from the Société Académique d’Education et d’Encouragement ‘Arts,