Search - Louis Vierne, Ben van Oosten :: Vierne: 24 Pieces en style libre

Louis Vierne 24 Pièces en style libre

Jacques Messier | Montréal, Canada | 01/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Vierne was a great composer. A little hard here to imagine theses pieces as liturgical ones. At first hearing, they look more like religious inspiration on liturgical themes.



Louis Vierne (1870-1937) was devoted to the complexity of the organ despite that he was blind most of his life. After a life full of personal tragedies, he died in concert at his beloved organ of Notre-Dame. Vierne is said to be one of the most accessible organ composer and because of it, he is largely played, just as Widor, Franck and of course, Bach.



These Cds are a sort of tribute to Vierne earlier organ works with a compilation of short pieces including the two masses, Opus 30 and 62.



The Funeral March in G sharp minor, with its grave rhythm to the pedal board may have been more expressive with the cadence deliberately set to mark the steps of the funeral convoy.



Beside that, the execution by Ben van Oosten is quite convincing for those who prefer a spiritual approach to organ music. Nothing flashy, but instead, a sober and meditative style of interpretation. A sort of voyage in the traditional sense of ritual. Many good moments too in the Improvisations.



Sounding, organist and recording go without saying : three CDs to listen to, on and on.



"