I've been able to hear what I believe was one of his improvisations. It was one of the most remarkable experiences in my life. I heard and physically felt the music through my body. It was a physical encounter with the abstract, with civilization. I keep trying to see him playing again ever since ...
Does anyone else notice how "unusual" these melodic passages are by which Msr. Guillou demonstrates the various voices of the organ? Perhaps I should further clarify by saying "unusual to the North American ear". None of these passages are what one would call "happy". There's a noticeable, repetitive pattern here. There are no soft, soothing, lullaby-ish passages. No! On the contrary, each short melodic demonstration begins with an arpeggiation in some scale type that is very different sounding to my ears. (none in a traditional major or minor progression) The sequence of the notes seem to follow some angular and contracting melodic sequence that when it reaches the top -- abruptly bumps down by a half step or to a note not not harmonious with the previous arpeggiation -- but where the last note is in a most sour contrast (almost creepy one might say) with its preceding note(s). Truly this man's "harmonic idiom" as one might call it -- is "out there". One might think of it as being the polar opposite of the harmonies of Maurice Durufle. This is not to say they are in any way to be considered "bad", only that they are strikingly unusual. I know of no other French organist or composer who uses such dark and angular harmony. I wish I were better able to use technical terms to describe what I'm wishing to convey but , please forgive me, I do not have the terms. When Msr. Guillou begins the improvisation -- we see his rhythms, which we might describe as choppy, irregular, staccato -- seeming as it were to jump from one scary and dramatic place to another as if it might be the sound track for a horror movie. Again, not wishing to cast dispersion upon his talent or style; but one must admit this music is not for children's ears. It seems to manifest a struggle of (or for) power and perhaps epic conquest -- perhaps the great contrast between good and evil, in which Msr. Guillou does not hesitate to lean towards the "darker side" of the struggle -- with all the excitement which can be mustered to the cause. Never boring. If find it ironic that when he speaks, he seems such a gentle, retiring, and sweet soul -- whereas his music opens a dark world of conquest and contrast. He will be missed. There is none like him. May he rest in peace.
Jean Guillou without a doubt among the ranks of very best. He's within the top 3 of the most talented organists that I've heard within the last 70 years. Truly prodigious (authoritative)
GRANDISSIME🌿🇻🇦✝️🇲🇫🌿 MAÎTRE CATHOLIQUE ORGANISTE JEAN GUILLOU🌼⛑🥰🌸🎶...L'ÉGAL du LÉGENDAIRE MAÎTRE CATHOLIQUE🌿💛🌍✒🍒🇻🇦📚💒🎶🌸 ORGANISTE PIERRE COCHEREAU❤⛑🎶🇻🇦✝️🇲🇫🎶🥰⛑❤📚🇲🇬🧮☎️🌿🙋♂️ !!!
When was this filmed? Just curious because Mr. Guillou left St. Eustache around March 2015, but if this was filmed in 2017 then that’s really great that he gets to play the organ there still!
As titular organist I would think he would be allowed access to the organ pretty much any time he wanted to play within reason if it didn't interfere with church life :-)
I agree with everything here except the original comment, this IS music, just maybe not a 4/4 4 chord pop tune with no soul. This is just raw expression and I think it's marvellous.
If you imagine a Hitchcock movie while listening, eg. the shower scene from Psycho, it makes more sense. :)Personally, it stresses me out, don't like this kind of tension / suspense. Hair reminds me of Gary Oldman as Dracula. :))
