Louis Vierne - Complete Organ Symphonies (Ben van Oosten)

Information

Composer: Louis Vierne

CD1:

• (01) Organ Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 14

CD2:

• (01) Organ Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 20
• (06) Organ Symphony No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 28

CD3:

• (01) Organ Symphony No. 4 in G minor, Op. 32
• (06) Organ Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 59

CD4:

• (01) Organ Symphony No. 5 in A minor, Op. 47

Ben van Oosten, organ
Date: 1996
Label: Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm

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Review

PERFORMANCE: ***** / SOUND: ****

Ben van Oosten is quite right to point out Vierne’s unique synthesis in his six symphonies of Franck’s compositional principles and Widor’s disciplined playing techniques. Maurice Duruflé recalled how Vierne, his teacher during the Twenties, was able to expose the Franckian aesthetic he inherited to more rational procedures and, as a ‘complete technician’, was every inch the student of Widor. The symphonies offer much more than a mere synthesis of these two Parisian giants, however; they are character studies of the man who composed them, eloquent statements communicating a variety of moods and sentiments which, regrettably, are known to few outside the organ world. Van Oosten says that ‘emotion and ratiocination are kept in balance’ in these works, and he certainly justifies this statement fully in his performances. He plays three highly respected instruments by Cavaillé-Coll (Rouen, Lyon, Toulouse): what could be more favourable for a complete edition of these works? Sometimes one does miss a hint of generosity in the timing of phrases or the placing of strategic structural events, sobriety perhaps restricting the many amiable and refined qualities which exude from these characteristic pieces. These are small points, however, and this performer’s reading of the enigmatic Adagio movement of the Third Symphony, for example, or his appreciation of the requisite Gothic monumentality in the first and last movements of the same work, are unparalleled. Highly recommended.

-- Andrew McCrea, BBC Music Magazine

More reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Organ-Symphonies-L-Vierne/dp/B0000265JI

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Louis Vierne (8 October 1870 – 2 June 1937) was a French organist and composer. Vierne served as an assistant to the organist Charles-Marie Widor, and subsequently became principal organist at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, a post he held from 1900 until his death in 1937. Vierne had an elegant, clean style of writing that respected form above all else. His harmonic language was romantically rich, but not as sentimental or theatrical as that of his early mentor César Franck. His output for organ includes six organ symphonies, several chamber works, vocal and choral music, and a Symphony for orchestra.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Vierne

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Ben van Oosten (born 1955 in The Hague, Netherlands) is an organist, professor and author. Van Oosten studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam with Albert de Klerk (organ) and Berthe Davelaar (piano). He completed advanced studies in Paris, France, with André Isoir and Daniel Roth. Van Oosten is considered one of the greatest practitioners and interpreters of the French 19th century's Romantic Organ school. Besides maintaining a heavy recital schedule and an active private teaching practice, he serves as organist for the Grote Kerk (The Hague) and is a professor of music at the Rotterdam Conservatory.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_van_Oosten

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