Camille Saint-Saëns | Bénédiction Nuptiale, Op.9

• Gert Ronner plays «Bénédiction Nuptiale» (Marital Blessing), Opus 9, composed by Camille Saint-Saëns on the 1907 P.J. Adema & Zn. organ at the Church of Saint Joseph in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
• Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) was a child prodigy and excelled in many areas, including literature, geology, astronomy and of course, music. He composed a large amount of orchestral, piano solo and chamber music, of which today his «Carnival des Animaux», Danse Macabre and 3rd Symphony are still widely known. Saint-Saëns also had a fondness for the organ, took up several duties in Parisian churches and wrote numerous pieces for the instrument which deserve more attention in my opinion. Saint-Saëns was a composer who embraced new developments and ideas as soon as they came out, yet he remained conservative in his musical language. He died a lonely and worn-out man at the age of 86 in his beloved Algeria.
The «Bénédiction Nuptiale» presented here starts off with an introduction in which the tolling of distant church bells (Voix Céleste) alternates with a short response played on the Bourdon 8'. A lovely vocalise then appears, first played on the 8' flue stops of the Récit, later on the 8' Basson-Hobo. The piece then builds up to a climax before calming down to reintroduce the main melody. An extensive coda follows after which the lyrical melody once again returns, this time played on the lower register of the 8' Basson-Hobo. It is as if Saint-Saëns can hardly put this great melodic idea to rest. Finally the piece comes to an end with a dreamy final few chords, played solely on the 4' Flûte Harmonique. It is this piece to which Louis Vierne referred to as "that little masterpiece of written-out improvisation". Saint-Saëns played this popular piece for the inauguration of the 1869 Cavaillé-Coll organ at Ste.Trinité in Paris and again in his programmes in the 1890s.
• The 1906 Adema organ at the church of Saint Joseph in Haarlem is a typical example of 19th century organ building. The organ has a homogeneous sound palette, resembling the sounds of a symphonic orchestra, which in turn inspired many composers to compose for this new type of organ from the early 1860's and onwards. The casing of the instrument is half a century older and housed a previous instrument built by Lindsen in 1856. Such famous composers and organists as Hendrik Andriessen, Albert de Klerk and Gemma Coebergh played this organ for many years and it is famous for its poetic characteristics.
• Specification:
Hoofdwerk: Principaal 16', Bourdon 16', Prestant 8', Salicionaal 8', Fluit Harmoniek 8', Holpijp 8', Quint 6', Octaaf 4', Octaaf 2', Cornet V st., Mixtuur II-V st., Trompet 8' | Zwelwerk: Prestant 8', Viola 8', Vox Coelestis 8', Bourdon 8', Quintaton 8', Violone 4', Fluit Harmoniek 4', Piccolo 2', Sesquialter II-III st., Trompet 8', Fagot-Hobo 8', Vox Humana 8', tremulant | Pedaal: Contrebas 16', Subbas 16' (HW), Openbas 8', Gedektbas 8', Openfluit 4', Bazuin 16', Trompet 8' | 4 manual couplers (incl. Sub- and super), pedal coupler, Setzer.

[@charlesbaker1403]

Seven and one-half minutes of absolute delight!

[@gert.ronner]

Thank you so much, Charles!

[@tonreijnaerdts2900]

Erg blij weer van je te horen. Mooie uitvoering van dit vrij onbekende werk van de onvolprezen Camille Saint-Saëns!!

[@JanPost]

als je relatief onbekende muziek brengt, dan is dit de beste manier! met notenbeeld erbij, mooi gemonteerd, en bovenal aansprekend gespeeld. klasse Gertjan

[@gert.ronner]

Dankjewel Jan!

[@organgoesheavy]

I am happy about this upload. It has become a great film with beautiful music pictures and played great! An unknown work for me.

[@gert-janraidt2068]

Prachtig GJ, heel doorleefd gespeeld!

[@henkvanderweerd1890]

Eindelijk :) weer een update van jou. Blij mee. Heel mooi gespeeld!

[@gert.ronner]

Dankjewel, Henk!