The art of Marie-Claire Alain

[Contratrombone64]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu9-JLoFMPE

I just love this and love the instrument. Wonderful.

Can't WAIT to hear Jonesey or Lars record this for us.

[Ghekorg7]

Marie-Claire is one of the best and my all time organ performing/study inspiration.

Thanks for the link.
She plays Dubois with her own personal style, as for example these small tiny delays before shooting the big chords and the breathing at heavy parts, allowing the listener to enjoy deeper the music she's spreading all around. St.Soulpice is the perfect place for this, indeed.

Loving piece of mine too, this toccata and though I'm a confirmed Silbermann fanatic/maniac can't help but admire, enjoy and respect this extra wonderful and amazing Aristede's masterpiece.

Thanks David

[Krummhorn]

. . . Can't WAIT to hear . . . Lars record this for us.

... You are a funny man, David ... I have neither the organ resources, nor the acoustics (the church in which I play has the same natural reverberation as a closet full of clothing). You will have to settle for Jonesey or this recording of Marie-Claire Alain.

[wljmrbill]

ah yes another great performance. I to always enjoy the sound of this organ, and a surprise. She plays it faster than Bish..now that is a switch..LOL. Thanks fior posting

[teddy]

Thank you David. Lovely rouseing piece to start my day.

teddy

[marval]

What an amazing organist she is, thank you for sharing that David.

[Contratrombone64]

Lars - my friend - I understand - how about you record one of the Bach organ sonatas instead? They look simple enough on paper **ducks for cover**

[Ghekorg7]

Simple on paper - hard on playing !
The perfect separation of RH, LH & Feet. And then all together as one....
These 6 sonatas are mature works of the Grand Master.

[Contratrombone64]

Hey Panos, yes I realise their difficulty completely. Incredibly difficult to master with three distinct and beautifully phrased voices.

[Ghekorg7]

Indeed David.... and you know what? They can be easy to sing their melodies inside, like coming sooo smoothly into the mind and heart, but when start playin'... something happens. One must be more than advanced to perfom at an average level.

Goes like : ta ta taaa _ ta ta taaa _ tata_ta ta ta ta ect. Easy on first impact. Ok now put the right hand and pedal on it. er....khmm what's goin' on?

This must be the genious of Bach.

And now the question : how can Marie-Claire play those bass lines with her tiny feet and the skirt (knees almost sticked)? No matter how many times I've seen her doin' it I can't belive it :-)

[Soubasse]

Yep, that and seeing her at an organ during a workshop when there was an incorrect stop out on a manual and she reacted with "Oops, sorry. I've never played this organ before." She then proceeds to play the particular instrument it as if she's practiced on it all her life.

Lovely recording of the Dubois, and the St. Sulpice organ is one of which I would never tire hearing. ... and that's faster than Bish?! There's a surprise! I have heard it faster again courtesy of Dame Gillian ... must be a "girl" thing (Although I would wonder at what Mach speed someone like Wayne Marshall might play it - I one heard him rattle off the Final from Vierne's 1st - it was over in about 4 minutes!)

[Contratrombone64]

Wayne Marshall is in the same league as that horrific American speedster who name just fell out of my short term memory, most irksome.

[Soubasse]

Biggs? Fox?
.........................

[Contratrombone64]

No not Fox - he at least had some interpretative skill ... far more recent younger organist very partial to lycra and very bright clothing (think Rhinestones).

[Soubasse]

Oh, Cameron Carpenter!