Demessieux complete organ works by Stephen Tharp

[acc]

This week, I've gone to this recital, and took the opportunity to buy this recording of the complete organ works of Jeanne Demessieux (1921–1968).

I can only recommend it in the highest possible terms: Stephen Tharp is one of the very few organists who has the necessary technical skills to play transcendental works such as the Six Études, but above all, he still gives me the feeling of making music (rather than just ”showing off”) even when he plays such difficult works. The Stahlhut/Jann organ in Dudelange, Luxemburg is quite a treat, and St-Ouen is of course as stunningly beautiful as ever. Add to that one of the most capable organ recording engineers of this day, and you get the most impressive recording project I've come across in the last few years.

You can listen to audio samples here.

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha acc,

Thanx for the tip - That recording is going on my short-list to Santa.

Btw, what do you recall of the movement from *Instants* by Guillou? Is it as daring in its harmonic language as *Hyperion*?

Cheerio,

CD

[acc]

Btw, what do you recall of the movement from *Instants* by Guillou? Is it as daring in its harmonic language as *Hyperion*?

Actually, Stephen Tharp changed his programme at the last minute: he replaced Guillou's Instants by Liszt's Funérailles (transcribed for organ by Demessieux), dedicating his performance to the memory of his wife's uncle, who passed away on that very morning.