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Fred, despite his “never say no” professionalism, was NEVER ever a “prima donna”, A Class act, 100%. Glad to have learned from him.

If only the Notre Dame re-opening organ music sounded this good...not that bunch of noise we heard...

Notre Dame has been the temple of improvisation since Balbastre caused traffic jams in the streets of Paris at Christmas close to 250 years ago playing and shredding French Christmas carols. The 4 were magnificent, no notes -- another fanboy

Excellent post, thank you. People have ignorantly complained about the verset's organ improvisations, each of which is limited by the format of the mass to only about 60 or so seconds in length. The verset organ improvisations are part of the liturgy; each is the organist's improvised interpretation of the textual response to the preceding verse recited by the priest (the Archbishop, in this case). Organ literature, including by famous French organ composers (even Messiaen, whose organ works are all religious), would be entirely out of place in a mass---a mass is not a concert. Some people said "why didn't they play music by Bach?" Bach was a German Protestant. This was a mass in a French Catholic cathedral. Do not expect to hear Bach's music in a French Catholic mass, and especially not in Notre Dame de Paris where innovative organ improvisation is fundamental. You can hear Bach's and other organ composers' works in many concerts previously held in Notre Dame de Paris, and in the many concerts there to come. The organist also improvises the entre' (prelude), interludes, etc. and the sorti (postlude). The musical style of these improvisations is a historical tradition at Notre Dame de Paris (at least), especially from when Pierre Cochereau was the titulaire organist. It is not to everyone's taste (I love it), but nothing is.

there are a few more, but thanks for a fresh view on what happened! So many didn't understand and just bombed it with bad critics.

Marcus, you make a good case and add some education to the organ playing at Notre Dame. BUT . . BUT . . BUT . . when the intellect or talent of the music falls upon the ear in a way that isn't equivalent to the event, I can't find the selections defensible. It was a glorious, grand, celebratory occasion for the re-opening of the Cathedral and the music put me in the space of the fire raging and never being extinguished, never rising from the ashes. That's how it sounded to me. The "glory" was missing for me. I'm certain French improvisation could have managed something glorious and triumphant.

*I would have picked Legeti's Volumina rather than this crap!* 😂 (Search it if you don't know what I'm on about)

Your comments indicate that you 'got' the reopening liturgy exactly, in the context of the ND musical and specifically liturgical tradition, of which most of the keyboard critics were unaware or ignored. Well said, fully agree! I wonder how long it is before these 8 versets are transcribed and published? They can then take their place in the library of historic French organ literature, the "transcribed improvisation" being a section in its own right.

Very thoughtful commentary, Marcus - thank you!

Much better than the latest Notre Dame re-opening organ concert....

Thank you, Marcus. Excellent!

Magnifique improvisation historique de Louis Vierne à ND de Paris.

Thank you for these valuable recordings! Yves Devernay was one of a kind.

Totally stunning - what a loss, that he died so young.

Do you have the full CD ?

amazing improv

enfin un organiste de NDDP qui ne joue pas avec les pieds

Quelle joie et bonheur d'ecouter l'oeuvre de D.Buxtehude a Notre Dame Paris.Merci!

How to destroy a good song.

There's so much you can do with proper harmony. Improvising does not mean one cannot have a better harmonic pattern... especially in the middle part

Sensational, Thierry. Ignore the losers here 😊

Great music video watching from canada

I would call it "over the top"...

Clickbait 😡😡😡😡

Was he invisible?

The Cathedral should commission a new choir organ from Kuhn.

Kerkorgel is prachtig maar niet in deze uitvoering…

I love this piece, and this may be the best performance of it I've heard. He brought out all the voices so well and clearly in such a big room. The registration is really great.

Prachtig. Dankuwel.

The buildup was not necessary. The peacefulness of the beginning and ending was perfect and full organ wasn’t needed.

There is a huge portion of organ music spanning several centuries which is dedicated to the interpretation, reflection upon, and elaboration of hymn music. These pieces seek to capture the meaning of the texts assigned to the hymn tunes. In this particular case, I think the organist was conveying the anguish of a person consumed by a life of evil and that person's joy in the redemption granted solely by the grace of God. (The composer and author of "Amazing Grace" was a former captain of a slave ship in the 1700's. He later converted to Christianity and eventually became a well-known clergyman in the Church of England.) This organist is French. Part of the French tradition of organ music is improvisation. French improvisation is quite different than improvisation in the German or American traditions. This organist's improvisation on "Amazing Grace" was completely within the traditions of French improvisations. He was not destroying the tune.

Quelle merveille d'interprétation !!! Une œuvre magnifique. Quel talent. Merci infiniment pour ce moment tellement BEAU. 👏👏👏👏🎵🌟🎶🎵🌟🎶🎵🌟🎶♥️♥️

Some organists are simply sacrificing music on the altar of their playing technique

Another travisty.

Amazing obliteration of Amazing Grace. The beauty of the song lies in its simplicity.

C était horrible.

Such beautiful music

R.I.P. Frederick, who passed from Cancer at the age of 91 on November 13th, 2022. I had the privilege of attending one of his organ recitals.. He knew how to use every resource of the organ.... I spoke to him briefly, he was exhausted after more than an hour of playing..

Can't we hear the andante movements from Widor 6 ? They are exquisite.

That organ must be awesome in person.

A true reminder. Thank you. ❤ xx again, again❤ God bless. Love Janet xxx

Might have to make a pilgrimage to Fort Lauderdale!!

Hay himnos que se prestan para interpretar en variaciones; no todos. En mi opinión tampoco este himno.

Just a bunch of noise! Not easy to listen to!👎🇨🇦

Dubstep on amazing grace, love this performance

Why just a photo ..? We cannot watch the video ...???

Show more of the Organ console and him playing video man

That Organ has the most amazing PEDAL sound....Myer's Park Methodist Church in Charlotte N. C., is the only Organ that can compete with the Pedal board sound. Awesome!

I play an Allen organ at church. What are your more favorite digital organs? Viscount? Rodgers? Everyone is using "Hauptwerk" organ software now, but I still prefer the simplicity of a good digital organ. They have an Allen organ in Saint Peter's Church at the Vatican. 🎹

Not my cup.of tea, might be for the young