Tournemire: Choral-Improvisation sur le 'Victimæ paschali'

Recorded in 1967, this historic recital is the premiere recording of the Basilica's two large organs, built by the Möller. The recording is full of important moments: the transcription of a Handel organ concerto played as a duet on the two instruments, Maurice Duruflé's transcription of Tournemire's improvisation on Victimae Pascali, played by Mme. Duruflé. The concert concludes with Maurice Duruflé's Prelude and Fugue on the name of Alain (again, played by Mme. Duruflé). Those looking to find an example of authentic French organ playing need look no further.

With this album, Montréal-born organist Vincent Boucher launches an ambitious project to record the complete liturgical works by the 20th century composer, Charles Tornemire. Volume I features the Resurrection Cycle performed on the Casavant organ in Sts. Anges-Gardiens church in Lachine. Boucher balances his remarkable career as an organist with a parallel career as a financial analyst. He was awarded the 2005 Opus Prize for Discovery of the Year.

Recorded live on Palm Sunday 2004, with improvisations by Simon Johnson, based on readings from St. Luke's gospel by the Reverend Barnaby Huish