1. Zephyrs [5.26]
Improvisation on a theme by Leopold
Stokowski, reconstructed by Rollin Smith
Six Antiennes pour les temps de Noël,
Op.48 (1952) [14.31]
2. I Ecce Dominus veniet [2.56]
3. II Omnipotens sermo tuus [3.03]
4. III Tecum principium, in die virtutis
tuae [2.31]
5. IV Germinavit radix Jesse [1.38]
6. V Stella ista [1.53]
7. VI Lumen ad revelationem [2.30]
Seventy-Nine Chorales, Op.28 (1931)
[5.56]
8. No.21 Through Adam’s fall is the
world defiled [1.12]
9. No.22 A mighty fortress is our God
[0.48]
10. No.23 Have mercy upon me, O Lord,
my God [1.09]
11. No.36 In Thee, O God, have I put
my trust [0.56]
12. No.37 Unto Thee I cry, O lord Jesus
[1.51]
13. Vision, Op.44 (Poème symphonique)
‘…Et la lumière luit dans les
ténèbres.’ (1948) [17.00]
Seventy-Nine Chorales, Op.28 (1931)
[6.02]
14. No.38 In Thee, lord, have I hoped
[1.01]
15. No.39 In Thee, Lord, have I hoped
[1.11]
16. No.40 In Thee is joy [0.55]
17. No.41 In quiet joy [1.47]
18. No.66 Farewell [1.08]
Deuxième Symphonie, Op.26 (1929)
[18.34]
19. I Preludio: Allegro agitato [7.46]
20. II Intermezzo: Très modéré
[4.16]
21. III Toccata : Très animé
[6.32]
Marcel
Dupré, a gifted pupil of Guilmant,
Vierne and Widor, was their successor.
His contribution to the tradition of
the French organ music and improvisation
is remarkable. Between 1916 and 1922
he substituted for Vierne at Notre-Dame
and by 1920 he was giving recital series
featuring the complete Bach works for
organ. These helped establish his career.
In 1926 he was appointed professor of
organ at the Paris Conservatoire and
Widor’s successor at St Supplice. Gifted
as a composer and also as a performer
with extreme dexterity and artistry,
he was a master of organ improvisation.
Zephyrs is ‘a
reconstruction by the American organist
and writer Rollin Smith of an improvisation
by Dupré on a theme by Leopold
Stokowski, taken from a recording’.
The Six Antiennes pour les temps de
Noël, Op.48, take as their basis
the plainsongs of the Christmas antiphons.
The first is for Vespers of the first
Sunday of Advent; the second is for
the fourth Sunday of Advent, whereas
the third is an antiphon for the Second
Vespers on Christmas Day. The fourth
is an antiphon for the Second Vespers
on the Feast of the Circumcision. Stella
ista is for the Second Vespers on the
feast of the Epiphany and the Lumen
ad uses the Second Vespers’ antiphon
for the purification. The mood of this
piece varies according to the plainsongs,
from meditative to a vivid glorification
of God.
The Seventy-Nine Chorales,
op. 28, were intended to serve ‘as an
introduction to Bach’s chorale preludes,
offering relatively simple versions
of the same chorale melodies, later
to be tackled in their elaborate form’.
The Vision is a symphonic poem and its
title ‘And the light shines in the darkness’
gives the general mood of the piece.
The music is unfolded slowly inside
the dark colors of the organ to reach
a dynamic climax in the toccata-like
Vivo. It ends in a glorious and shining
Largamente. The Symphonie No.2 contains
three parts, the Preludio, the Intermezzo
and the Toccata.
This CD is part of
the Naxos Organ Encyclopedia. The booklet
offers a good amount of information,
including the full registration of the
Aeolian-Skinner/Schudi/J-F Dupont organ.
The organ is appropriate for this kind
of music and all its colours are well-captured
on this CD.
Baker seems very familiar
with this music and the playing has
clarity and precision, essential for
the music, as well as smooth musical
lines. At the technically demanding
Vision, Op.44 he shows his dexterity
by producing a very clean and superbly
rhythmic Tutti. There are many moments
of great pleasure and it is certainly
a CD that offers a high musical standard
at a great price.
Christina Antoniadou
George Baker (organ)