Composed of a Mass and five Hymns, the 'Livre d’Orgue' of Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703), published in 1699, is one of the high points of the French Classical organ literature. The collection is remarkable for the density of its style, which combines learned counterpoint with a bold and sumptuous harmonic language. It is hardly surprising that Bach himself personally copied out this work by the Reims-born composer, thus conferring on him a distinction unique in the entire French organ school. André Isoir’s version, recorded by Georges Kisselhoff in 1972, offers the ideal introduction to Grigny’s world.
