Louis Vierne - 24 Pièces de fantaisie (Ben van Oosten)

Information

Composer: Louis Vierne

CD1

• 24 Pièces de fantaisie, Suite I, Op. 51
• 24 Pièces de fantaisie, Suite III, Op. 54

CD2

• 24 Pièces de fantaisie, Suite II, Op. 53
• 24 Pièces de fantaisie, Suite IV, Op. 55

Ben van Oosten, organ

Date: 1998

Label: Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm

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Review

Vierne’s 24 Pièces de fantaisie were written towards the end of his life, at a time when his many recital tours overseas were bringing to bear a marked influence on his compositional style. There is a wonderfully broad range of moods and textures to be found here, spanning every major and minor key, from the sombre tranquillity of ‘Résignation’ to the impish humour of ‘Feux follets’ and the imposing austerity of ‘Cathédrales’, which one can imagine filling effortlessly the vast expanses of Vierne’s beloved Notre Dame Cathedral.

Ben van Oosten plays on the splendid four-manual Cavaillé-Coll instrument at St Ouen, Rouen, giving performances of great integrity and finesse. His finely honed technique lends many of the faster pieces such as ‘Naïades’ from Suite No. 4 a real lightness of touch and vivid characterisation. Most satisfying is his ability to let the music ebb and flow naturally, for instance in ‘Clair de lune’ from Suite No. 2, where the delicious opening flute solo defies any mechanical origin and the marriage between sound and acoustic seems almost ideal. The famous ‘Carillon de Westminster’ achieves its thrilling impact mainly through van Oosten’s finely-judged tempo. A hugely enjoyable disc.

— Stephen Haylett

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Louis Vierne (8 October 1870 – 2 June 1937) was a renowned French organist and composer. Born with severe visual impairment, he overcame significant challenges to become one of the leading figures of the French organ tradition. Educated under influential musicians including César Franck and Charles-Marie Widor, Vierne developed a distinctive style characterized by rich harmonies and symphonic textures. His most celebrated works include six organ symphonies, numerous fantasy pieces, and sacred choral compositions. He died dramatically while performing at Notre-Dame, fulfilling his wish to die at the organ console.

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Ben van Oosten (born 8 April 1955 in The Hague) is a Dutch organist, pedagogue and author. He graduated from the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam in 1979, then completed advanced studies in Paris. Van Oosten subsequently became one of the greatest practitioners and interpreters of organ works of the French Romantic Organ school of the 19th century. Among his recordings are the complete works of Charles-Marie Widor, Louis Vierne and Marcel Dupré, as well as the sonatas of Alexandre Guilmant. He is titular organist of the Grote Kerk in his hometown and is an organ professor at Rotterdam Conservatoire.

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