UPDATED 03/18/2010

FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT   Your support is necessary to continue this service. Even a small donation will help. A. Cavaillé-Coll Organ, originally Paris, France, moved to Mainz, Germany (1877) - Samples by Prof. Helmut Maier Vierne, Louis: Légende, Op. 31, No. 13 This begins Book 2 of the 24 Pieces in Free Style. Gentle rocking motion throughout. Registration: G.O. Fonds doux 8; Pédale: Bourdons 8, 16; Claviers accouplés. Tirasses. Uses the extended set. [3:14] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Scherzetto, Op. 31, No. 14 Frenzied fun for French flues. Uses the extended set. [3:38] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Arabesque, Op. 31, No. 15 Use of whole-tone and diatonic scales in the melody, long held chords in the left hand with only the tenor moving about chromatically, all contribute to an almost hypnotic effect. Do not play while operating heavy machinery. Uses the extended set. [5:1] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Choral, Op. 31, No. 16 A powerful motive alternating open fifths and thirds is sounded in increasingly lower regions of the manual reeds. This alternates with a sweeter, lilting section, and the expression pedal is utilized wih great effect. Registration called for: R. Fonds 8, Hautbois, Trompette; G.O. Fond 8; Pédale Fonds 16. 8. Claviers accouples, Tirasses. At one point the reeds are dropped, brought in again and finally retired. In this virtual performance the registration was: Viole de Gambe 8' + Cor de Nuit 8' + Hautbois 8', coupled to G.O. Flûte Harmonique 8'; Pédale: Soubasse 16' + Bourdon 8' + Récit.-Pédale 8'. Uses the extended set. [4:31] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Lied, Op. 31, No. 17 A 4-measure song weaves through various ranges of both manuals. Registration: Récit. Cor de Nuit 8' + Flûte Octaviante; G.O. Montre 8' + Flûte Harmonique; Pédale: Soubasse 16' + Bourdon 8', Récit.-Pédale 8' coupler. Uses the extended set. [5:16] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Marche funêbre, Op. 31, No. 18 A sombre key for a stern hearseload of grief. The 32' pedal stop requested was unavailable. Uses the extended set. [11:10] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Berceuse (sur les paroles classiques), Op. 31, No. 19 A gentle lullaby, in 2/4 instead of the usual 6/8 meter. Various combinations of the Gambe 8 + Voix Celeste 8 on the Récit. Flûte Harmonique on the G.O., Bourdons 16' and 8' on the Pédale; ending on the Récit. Cor de Nuit 8'. Uses the extended set. [3:37] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Pastorale, Op. 31, No. 20 This pastorale has a haunting quality that borders on the sinister. Eight-foot flutes predominate, with Hautbois at the beginning and Gambe at the end. Uses the extended set. [6:38] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Carillon, Op. 31, No. 21 A two-measure pattern runs through most of the piece, in various voices and keys. Uses the extended set. Score here. [4:14] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Elégie, Op. 31, No. 22 Elegant French lyricism. Played on original set. G. R. Flûtes Bourdons et Gambes 8'; Ped. Fonds doux 16. 8. Claviers accouplés Tirasses. Near end the manual and G.O. couplers are retired. [4:0] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Epithalame, Op. 31, No. 23 Continuing the tradition of nuptial songs dating back to ancient Greece. Marked "Adagio sostenuto e molto espressivo" with alternate registration suggested for Harmonium. Played on original set. G.O. Flûte Harmonique; Récit. Viole de Gambe 8' + Voix Céleste; Pédale Soubasse 16' coupled to Récit. and occasionally also G.O. [5:18] Midi file available. HW1 Vierne, Louis: Postlude, Op. 31, No. 24 Marked "Quasi fantasia," dramatic chords alternate with rapid manual passages, long trills and a fervent development section to bring the 24 Pieces in FreeStyle to a spirited end. [2:36] Midi file available. HW1