Yves Devernay improvises in Notre Dame de Paris

[Thierry59]

Yves Devernay was appointed in 1985 together with Latry, Lefebvre and Legay to replace Pierre Cochereau.
He died in 1990 at the age of 53!
THis video illustrates how was the atmosphere in Notre Dame when inspiration and talent were coming up with such a great musician!
http://www.youtube.com/user/lapetiteregale#p/u/11/w_VqrQxjAts

 

[jhnbrbr]

Thanks for that, Thierry. What a sad loss that he died so young. The influence of Cochereau was very apparent, and it was also interesting what a close working relationship he had with his assistant, who seemed to know instinctively what registration changes were needed. Strangely, the way he removed his spectacles while playing reminded me of another organist who used to do that - Ernest Broadbent at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool!

 

[wljmrbill]

Thanks..enjoyed listening to the organ again with a different organist. He fits right in with the other organist at Notre Dame

 

[acc]

Well, since I mentioned Cochereau's video a few minutes ago in the other discussion, I might as well mention Devernay's of the same piece, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHkI16JEV_M

 

[pcnd5584]

Well, since I mentioned Cochereau's video a few minutes ago in the other discussion, I might as well mention Devernay's of the same piece, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHkI16JEV_M

Thank you for this, acc.

It is interesting to compare the two, although I think that I prefer the performance by Cochereau - it is more rhythmically tight (and consequently more convincing). Devernay's version, whilst exciting is, in addition, a little on the fast side.

 

[acc]

Thanks for your input, pcnd5584. Indeed, I prefer Cochereau's version as well.

To Devernay's credit, one should mention however that when this was filmed in 1989, the setzer was almost completely out of order, whereas one clearly sees Cochereau was still able to use it. Although Devernay had a "human setzer" performing miracles (*) at his side, there are still a number of disruptions that inevitably take away a lot of impetus from such a highly rhythmic work, and I sense that he was not really able to play it exactly as he would have liked.

(*) And maybe some measure of telepathy, which is even more apparent in other Youtube videos where Devernay improvises.

 

[pcnd5584]

Thanks for your input, pcnd5584. Indeed, I prefer Cochereau's version as well.

To Devernay's credit, one should mention however that when this was filmed in 1989, the setzer was almost completely out of order, whereas one clearly sees Cochereau was still able to use it. Although Devernay had a "human setzer" performing miracles (*) at his side, there are still a number of disruptions that inevitably take away a lot of impetus from such a highly rhythmic work, and I sense that he was not really able to play it exactly as he would have liked.

(*) And maybe some measure of telepathy, which is even more apparent in other Youtube videos where Devernay improvises.

Well, the 'electronic combinator' (as it was referred to in one sleeve note) was out of action before Cochereau died. Consider the two-CD set of improvisations on the Un Testament Musical. 25 improvisations sur l'Evangile selon saint Mathieu (recorded live during Lent 1984, the last recording taking place barely thirty-six hours before Cochereau's death). To think that these improvisations were created with only the faithful François Carbou as registrant almost defies belief.

However, I am also filled with admiration for the sublime and beautiful improvisations created by Yves Devernay - whose talent I also hold in high regard.

 

[Thierry59]

Well, the 'electronic combinator' (as it was referred to in one sleeve note) was out of action before Cochereau died. Consider the two-CD set of improvisations on the Passion According to Saint Matthew (recorded live during Lent 1984, the last recording taking place barely thirty-six hours before Cochereau's death). To think that these improvisations were created with only the faithful François Carbou as registrant almost defies belief.

However, I am also filled with admiration for the sublime and beautiful improvisations created by Yves Devernay - whose talent I also hold in high regard.

If I remember correctly, only the crescendo pedal and the tutti button were in action at the time when "les improvisations sur la Passion selon St Matthieu" were registered. When Devernay is filmed in 1988 and 89 there is only the decrescendo action which is in order!

 

[pcnd5584]

If I remember correctly, only the crescendo pedal and the tutti button were in action at the time when "les improvisations sur la Passion selon St Matthieu" were registered. When Devernay is filmed in 1988 and 89 there is only the decrescendo action which is in order!

Yes, I believe that this is correct, although I had not realised that it had deteriorated further during Devernay's tenure.

It must have made life difficult for all of them (not forgetting the three other titulaires who were appointed in 1985). I have occasionally wondered why Cochereau did not try to get it repaired. Or perhaps he did. Certainly the French State (who own this instrument) had refused to fund his grand project to re-instate the former Positif case at the front of the gallery (removed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during his mid-19th century restoration of the cathedral). Cochereau also wished to have the organ rebuilt (again), and the great case painted in white and gold - as it apparently was prior to the Revolution.

 

[Thierry59]

Yes, I believe that this is correct, although I had not realised that it had deteriorated further during Devernay's tenure.

It must have made life difficult for all of them (not forgetting the three other titulaires who were appointed in 1985). I have occasionally wondered why Cochereau did not try to get it repaired. Or perhaps he did. Certainly the French State (who own this instrument) had refused to fund his grand project to re-instate the former Positif case at the front of the gallery (removed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during his mid-19th century restoration of the cathedral). Cochereau also wished to have the organ rebuilt (again), and the great case painted in white and gold - as it apparently was prior to the Revolution.

Of course PC wanted his organ refixed! But for some good or bad reasons, the government at that period considered this project as costly and potentially controversial. Furthermore, PC was politically labeled on the right, as the socialists were governing. Thus no political support and a culture policy mainly devoted to encouraging new artists and not this old instrument!!
Certain people say that Lefebvre was appointed at NDP specifically to support the restoration project, but who says the truth about the complicated story of the appointment of the 4 NDP organists?

 

[pcnd5584]

Of course PC wanted his organ refixed! But for some good or bad reasons, the government at that period considered this project as costly and potentially controversial. Furthermore, PC was politically labeled on the right, as the socialists were governing. Thus no political support and a culture policy mainly devoted to encouraging new artists and not this old instrument!!
Certain people say that Lefebvre was appointed at NDP specifically to support the restoration project, but who says the truth about the complicated story of the appointment of the 4 NDP organists?

Indeed - although I have been told (by a reliable source) that one of the reasons that the cathedral chapter wished to appoint four organists to succeed Cochereau was that, by the time of his death, Pierre Cochereau had become so well-known and was held in such high esteem by many, that they felt there was no single person who was on a par with him and could therefore replace him. Whether this is true, I could not say - but it is an interesting point.

 

[Thierry59]

Indeed - although I have been told (by a reliable source) that one of the reasons that the cathedral chapter wished to appoint four organists to succeed Cochereau was that, by the time of his death, Pierre Cochereau had become so well-known and was held in such high esteem by many, that they felt there was no single person who was on a par with him and could therefore replace him. Whether this is true, I could not say - but it is an interesting point.

This is the "good" version, the official one.... Actually, the clergy didn't want to cope the previous situation where the organist was taking to much room in the cathedral. Mgr Lustiger and others decided to divide the charge amongst several organists to avoid this unbelievable fame...They also said that having 4 titulars was sticking to the former tradition in place at the middle age when there were several titulars. The only problem with this version is that is not possible to compare the cathedral in the ancient time (many services each day) with the today's time: the organist is in charge of 4 masses + vespers each saturday-sunday which is affordable with the concerts and some teaching if you have a deputy organist with you!
Today,in the general public, NOBODY knows about the name of at least one of the 3 organists of NDP. To me : one organ=one titular organist which allows to personalize the fonction (La Trinité= Messiaen; ST Eustache= Guillou; St Denis= Pincemaille; Dupré= St Sulpice; to mix the periods!)
Of course it's my opinion... not shared by everybody...

 

[acc]

Well, the 'electronic combinator' (as it was referred to in one sleeve note) was out of action before Cochereau died.

As far as I recall, it went out of action in 1983, and Évocation was recorded earlier.

I have occasionally wondered why Cochereau did not try to get it repaired. Or perhaps he did.

Since we're talking about ca. a year (or even less) before his death, maybe he simply hadn't succeeded in getting it repaired by the time he died in March 1984, and/or he was too much bogged down in all sorts of problems at the Conservatoire supérieur in Lyons at the same time.

 

[Thierry59]

Yes, I believe that this is correct, although I had not realised that it had deteriorated further during Devernay's tenure.

It must have made life difficult for all of them (not forgetting the three other titulaires who were appointed in 1985). I have occasionally wondered why Cochereau did not try to get it repaired. Or perhaps he did. Certainly the French State (who own this instrument) had refused to fund his grand project to re-instate the former Positif case at the front of the gallery (removed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during his mid-19th century restoration of the cathedral). Cochereau also wished to have the organ rebuilt (again), and the great case painted in white and gold - as it apparently was prior to the Revolution.

The electric combinator was voluntarily put out of order in August 1983 for security reasons(fire risks). Norbert Dufourcq, in the book in tribute of PC edited by Yvette Carbou (edition Zurflüh 1999) says that there had been a project to rebuild the organ dated 1980. After some long and hard discussions between PC and the members of the "Commission des orgues historiques", an agreement was about to be found by early 1984 (Positif de dos and organ going down) Unfortunately, PC went abroad and could not attend the session which had put this item on its agenda...

 

[pcnd5584]

The electric combinator was voluntarily put out of order in August 1983 for security reasons(fire risks). Norbert Dufourcq, in the book in tribute of PC edited by Yvette Carbou (edition Zurflüh 1999) says that there had been a project to rebuild the organ dated 1980. After some long and hard discussions between PC and the members of the "Commission des orgues historiques", an agreement was about to be found by early 1984 (Positif de dos and organ going down) Unfortunately, PC went abroad and could not attend the session which had put this item on its agenda...

Thank you for this. I have the book, but I had either not read that part, or had forgotten it.