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The art of Marie-Claire Alain

Ghekorg7 (Ret)

Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret)
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

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
. . . Can't WAIT to hear . . . Lars record this for us.

:lol::lol::lol: ... 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

Member
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
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
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 (Ret)

Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret)
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

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

Ghekorg7 (Ret)

Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret)
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

New member
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 :D :D :D (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!)
 
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Contratrombone64

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

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
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).
 

wljmrbill

Member
i.e. Carpenter...looking past the appearance I do like his playing..even if quite the showman.. terrific pedal work in my opinon.
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
Mr Bill - here I shall beg to differ. That school of musician ship where speed and dexterity are the hallmarks of greatness is anathema to me. When you compare Nigel Kennedy (who I detest for his showman ship) with the equally virtuosic Hillary Hahn (who has a gloriously considered and perfect style), I choose Ms Hahn ANY time.

Same goes for the likes of Carpenter (awful) and, for example Helmut Walcha (an equally brilliant, though FAR more humble organist).
 

GoneBaroque

New member
I have heard one recoding of Carpenter on the Radio playing the Toccata and Fugue in D and that was enough for me. I thought his registration was atrocious.
 

Soubasse

New member
Whilst CC's technical ability far surpasses what I or many others are ever likely to achieve, I find a huge amount wanting as far as his liberties of interpretation and registration are concerned. I'm also less than enamoured with his approach to the technology of his "virtual" touring organ and the uncompromising manner in which he promotes it, often to the detriment of thousands of years of the craft of organ building - there is an inherent arrogance in his manner which grates.

Marie Claire on the other hand, has always managed to command an air of authority simply by sitting at an instrument - any instrument - often before she even plays a note. Her playing, for my ears, has always carried a "friendly" (for want of a better word) but also seriously virtuose and ultimately satisfying aura. Same applies for her personality too - I was as nervous as hell during the lead up to meeting her. But within minutes, she had put me very well at ease, and I eventually found myself conversing with her as comfortably as I might a family member or close friend.
 

Ghekorg7 (Ret)

Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret)
I detest show off too.
Even from bright stars ect.
I'm declared and confirmed Alain follower/fanatic, but David, as I like Walcha too, Was he ever like Carpenter and the rest of the "gang"? The man was blind.... and humble as far as I managed to know and a good teacher... No?
 
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