Duruflé, Franck, Vierne, Dupré, Massenet, Godard & Boëllmann

Along with Biggs and the younger Zamkochian, Virgil Fox (1912-80) helped define the modern American concert organist. Taped in Riverside Church, New York (1955 Aeolian-Skinner), this collection features music by Dupré (his teacher in Paris), Vierne, Franck, Massenet, Godard, Boëllmann and Duruflé. Expressively, the Franck may be a shade sanctimonious, but Duruflé’s Op. 5 Suite is theatrically charged and features even more high-octane virtuosity than Boëllmann’s Gothique Toccata.

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:40 pm

COMPOSERS: Dupre,Durufle,Franck,Godard & Boëllmann,Massenet,Vierne
LABELS: EMI Full Dimensional Sound
ALBUM TITLE: Collection: Organ Music from France
WORKS: Suite, Op. 5; Chorale No. 1 in E; Cantabile in B; Symphony No. 2 (excerpts)
PERFORMER: Virgil Fox (organ)
CATALOGUE NO: CDM 5 66386 2 ADD 1958/61

Along with Biggs and the younger Zamkochian, Virgil Fox (1912-80) helped define the modern American concert organist. Taped in Riverside Church, New York (1955 Aeolian-Skinner), this collection features music by Dupré (his teacher in Paris), Vierne, Franck, Massenet, Godard, Boëllmann and Duruflé. Expressively, the Franck may be a shade sanctimonious, but Duruflé’s Op. 5 Suite is theatrically charged and features even more high-octane virtuosity than Boëllmann’s Gothique Toccata. The reading of Massenet’s Élégie, like the nostalgically indulged Berceuse arrangement from Godard’s opera Jocelyn, is a perfect lesson in the art of style and legato.

Ates Orga

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