De Componisten César Franck, Eugène Gigout, Charles-Marie Widor, Louis Vierne en Marcel Dupré, vertegenwoordigers van de Franse romantiek, vullen samen met hun Duitse collega's Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy en Max Reger een belangrijk deel van dit kanaal met orgelmuziek. Het betreft veelal integrale uitvoeringen zoals Franck's Trois Pièces, Six Pièces en Trois Chorals, alle zeven grote koraalfantasieën van Max Reger tevens diens 12 Monologues en alle zes orgelsonates van Mendelssohn. Van Widor en Vierne zijn respectievelijk hun vijfde en tweede Symfonie geplaatst. Het betreft zowel CD- als concertopnamen uit het verleden. Van Gigout is zijn overbekende "Grand Choeur Dialogué", en van Dupré de "Variations sur un Noël" geplaatst. Buxtehude stond hier met zijn Toccata in F nog wat eenzaam tussen maar inmiddels is Sweelinck aangeschoven.
Fabulous interpretation of the 3 chorals. They are César Franck's organ masterpieces. The play is not pompous but joyous, tormented and flamboyant. Thank you so much.
I love the deep and sonorous tone of this organ. Moreover, unlike some commenters here, I have no problem with the tempi used by Wouter van den Broek. He is a fine interpreter of César Franck.
Fantastisch gedaan. Oh, en nu moet ik echt een keer naar de Mozes en Aaron kerk. Vaak langs gefietst (ik woon nu in Utrecht) maar ik weet wat me te doen staat.
I am thinking that Charles Widor knew everything about all of the stops of the pipe organ in this big organ masterpiece of his. He was thinking this, "If composers can compose symphonies for their orchestras, why not do that same symphony, or "symphonie" in French, on the "orgue" (or "organ in French)." And that is what he did. I myself played music on the console organ and digital organ myself, but never a masterpiece as big as this........ Charles knew that each pipe organ stop had something related to or something related to the instruments in a symphony orchestra (flutes, trumpets, horns), and effects not related to orchestra instruments (like "quints, tierces"), and the so-called couplers and expression pedals. We know that pipe organs have the ability for the performer to do double pedaling to represent the bass parts of brass instruments and the doubling of that in the string basses. Widor knew that too. J.S. Bach, known for his so-many organ works, would have loved Widor as well. My thinking. The second movement's opening measures focuses on the organ's effect of using the oboe as the main melody and possibly the strings and low winds as the orchestral obbligato along with it.
Beste Wouter, bedankt voor je integrale uitvoering van César Franck en voor de synchronisatie met de bladmuziek. Het is zoals gezegd een gift: dit muziek te kunnen volgen. Ik heb van uw opname genoten.
Been a fan of Widor for years... But a word about general public acceptance of organ music. Years ago as "Morning Edition" host for the college radio station I chose this Toccata as a musical interlude, reasoning that the 16th notes played allegro would qualify as "up-tempo." My supervisors disagreed. I did a little informal public research in the following days and learned that organists agreed with me, but the general public agreed with my supervisors. I think for many people it's hard to hear all the detail in organ music. I also partially blame Hollywood's use of organ music in horror films, which adds a sinister connotation in many American's minds...?
I do not play a keyboard instrument yet the scrolling score is such a gift! The visibility of the score helps to understand the various interpretations along with the composer's recommendations/instructions. (I am sure that there is a technical term for these marginal notes.)
Schitterend - zijn pianomuziek en symfonieën zijn van hoog niveau maar waar Mendelssohn wat mij betreft het meeste in uitblinkt is de muziek die in het verlengde van de Duitse kerkmuziektraditie ligt. Deze orgelsonates, de Paulus, of de door hem nieuw leven in geblazen interesse in het vertolken van de werken van J.S. Bach, die voor zijn tijd vooral werden gezien als een reliek uit het verleden dat als studiemateriaal en inspiratie diende, maar niet op het podium te horen was.
His playing is typical of Germans. Stiff, sterile, strict adherence to the noted on the page. There is little feeling in the Prelude. The pacing does not feel right - admittedly the notes are correct but a computer can do as well. The pastoral is too fast. Pastoral, gentle, peaceful, . A little slower might have more it more emotional. The Finale says Majestic. You are playing it like your pants are on fire. SLOW DOWN. The 3 Trios are played far too fast, These are solemn pieces. Are you playing to show how fast you can get through them? Play Bach if you want to show off. Do you think you are another Virgil Fox? NOT!!!!
@organbuilder272, could you be more detailed and less personal in your feedback. You say Wouter is playing sterile, and later that he's increasing the tempi. What's your ideal beat metrics? Anyway, I found it weird that you're comparing apples with pears (sterility versus Wirgil Fox)
Have you heard Mendelssohn's Paulus yet? Actually it exists in an English translation which was also conducted by himself but the best recordings are all in German due to the work having stayed in the standard repertoire only in continental Europe. It's a combination of Romantic era harmonic and melodic language and heavy influences from Bach's oratorios.
Mooie uitvoering zonder meer. Alleen jammer dat de 4' in het vierde deel niet te horen is en zeker niet door iemand die het stuk niet kent. Een zacht tongwerk 4' is hier mooier...
How well stated. Bach may be interesting in its entanglements, but Franck brings forth the power and range of the organ palette. Nothing like an A. C-C in a French Cathedral.
Zoooo mooi! Instrument, uitvoering en opname. Nu hadden de microfoons van mij nog ietsjes dichter bij de pijpen mogen staan om het aanspreken beter te kunnen horen, juist omdat je dat in de kerk live nooit zo heel goed hoort en dat op een opname dus wel goed mee kunt nemen. Maar goed, dan komen we terecht in de filosofie van het opnemen......
I very much like the playing. I'd call the registration both unconventional, and not quite as varied as I'd prefer, but still like the performance overall.
