Vierne, L: Organ Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 14

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Louis Vierne‘s death, the present recording marks the beginning of Audite‘s 3-part complete recording of the composer‘s 6 Organ Symphonies with organist Hans-Eberhard Roß. Recorded at the Goll organ of St. Martin in Memmingen, the recording is characterised by the warm, soft and widely mensurated sound of the organ. Its sound creates unobtrusive power and fullness, making a symphonic effect in the church interior of St. Martin and yet always remaining clear. The polyphonic structures of the works become distinct and the transparency of sound permits fresher tempi than usual – neither of which can normally be taken for granted with recordings of Vierne. The French composer, organist and instrumental pedagogue Louis Victor Jules Vierne was extremely talented and ambitious, but nearly blind. His reaction to virtuoso organ playing, such as that of César Franck, was characterised by bliss and suffering, joy and fear. He studied in Paris with Charles-Marie Widor, who had founded the genre of the organ symphony. In 1894 Vierne, at the age of only 23, was allowed to represent his teacher in two functions, so that a future full of hope lay before him: at the organ console of the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris and in Widor‘s organ class at the Conservatory. But Vierne felt destined for higher things: in 1899 and 1903 he composed the first two (of a total of six) Organ Symphonies that were to lend the genre an unprecedented richness of timbres, mysticism and cyclic architecture. It is with these two works, written during comparatively happy years, that the Audite cycle begins. It will continue with Organ Symphonies 3 and 4, which were written when their creator was established as organist of Notre-Dame – as well as Nos. 5 and 6, when Vierne enjoyed international successes whilst his life became increasingly tragic. Hans-Eberhard Roß is Director of Church Music in Memmingen. He has already made an internationally successful recording for Audite of the complete organ works of César Franck.

In the early 1970’s, Teleson, a company in Rouen, convinced Louis Vierne to record, without a contract, a considerable number of works by Vierne. Amongst these were the symphonies, which ended up being sold to the Musical Heritage Society in the US and left to gather dust. Transferred from vinyl these marvelous recordings are available again, and for the first time on a French label.

9 discs for 5.5

“Ben van Oosten’s performances cannot be too highly praised. He is deeply committed, has a wonderful ear for sonority and detail.. And every performance creates the thrill and spontaneity of live musicmaking, while the recording of all three organs is magnificent.” Penguin Guide