Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) - Placare Christe Servulis (from Le Tombeau de Titelouze)

Born in Rouen in 1886, Marcel Dupré was a musical child prodigy. In 1904, he studied with Alexandre Guilmant, Louis Vierne and Charles-Marie Widor at the Paris Conservatoire and quickly developed a phenomenally successful career as a concert organist and composer. Dupré succeeded Widor as titular organist at St. Sulpice in Paris in 1934 and retained this position for the rest of his life. His organ music is much performed today and his principal works for the instrument are characterised by a blend of virtuosity and a structural and musical integrity of the highest order.
Jean Titelouze (1562-1633) was a French Catholic priest, composer, poet and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He was also a canon and organist at Rouen Cathedral. It was Titelouze's use of plainchant hymns to be used during the liturgical year that inspired Dupré in 1942 to create an homage to the old master: a 'tombeau' or musical composition that commemorates the death of a notable individual. Dupré's homage comprises sixteen treatments of plainsong, each with varying characters and demands on the player. The format of a 'tombeau' would not have been unfamiliar to Dupré, as earlier in the 20th century, Ravel had done something similar - albeit in secular fashion - in his well-known piano suite, 'Le Tombeau de Couperin' (1914-17).
The piece featured in this recording, 'Placare Christ Servulis' serves as the final work in 'Le Tombeau de Titelouze'. Although it is somewhat out of its true liturgical context (being composed for the Feast of All Saints in November), it is a joyful and ebullient toccata that weaves the theme of the plainchant through both manual and pedal in its brief duration.
Latin text, followed by English translation:
Placare, Christe, servulis,
quibus Patris clementiam
tuae ad Tribunal gratiae
patrona Virgo postulat.
To thy poor servants reconciled
show mercy, Christ, for whom the mild
and Virgin Patroness this grace
implore before Thy Father's face.
Sample set: Hereford Cathedral from Lavender Audio (via Hauptwerk)

[@SecretsofOrganPlaying]

This piece sounds very exciting and colorful!❤

[@paulswindenmusic]

Absolutely - it’s a great piece to play!

[@pianothingsmusic]

What an exciting composition and performance, Paul 👏🏻

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thank you, Cornelia! 🙏

[@remi-chapalain]

Impressive piece and playing !!! Bravo Paul !

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks so much, Rémi!

[@BrooksLehnig]

What a joyful piece with vim and gusto, Paul! A great demonstration of your skill and capacity as an excellent musician!

[@paulswindenmusic]

Many thanks for listening and your kind comment, Brooks!

[@RienSchalkwijk]

You did or again. Fabulous playing! Wonderful! You really should get an invitation for St Sulphice!

[@paulswindenmusic]

Maybe one day! Thanks for listening, Rien! 🙏

[@grahamtwist]

WOW! WOW! WOW! Virtuoso playing, Paul! What an awesome performance of this thrilling toccata by Marcel Dupré which sounds fabulously brilliant on the Father Willis Organ sample set from Hereford Cathedral. That final Tuba flourish is just stunning! You are amazing, Paul - every upload is outstanding: B R A V O !

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks so much, Graham! Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@peternaryd_operasinger]

Beautiful Paul 😁👍👏👏👏

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks so much, Peter! 🙏

[@peternaryd_operasinger]

@@paulswindenmusic You're so welcome