Louis Vierne - Complete Organ Symphonies (Ben van Oosten)

Information

Composer: Louis Vierne

CD1

• Organ Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 14
• Organ Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 20

CD2

• Organ Symphony No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 28
• Organ Symphony No. 4 in G minor, Op. 32

CD3

• Organ Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 59
• 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

The Vierne symphonies generally turn up in the catalogues in a rather piecemeal fashion with promised ‘complete’ cycles often never quite reaching completion. So it’s good not only to have all six available from one player but also gathered together in a single box devoted exclusively to the symphonies.

Vierne’s organ music is primarily (although by no means solely) concerned with organ colour, so choice of instrument is an important factor. No worries at all on that score here; each of these instruments is positively bursting with ravishing timbres. While I’m not among those who believe that French organ music (or, for that matter, English or German) can only legitimately be played on a French (or English or German) organ, the use of three Cavaille-Colls for these recordings certainly affords an undeniably ‘authentic’ sound. I wouldn’t dream of expressing a preference for one of these great instruments above another – they are all matchless examples of a master craftsman’s art. But I defy anyone to come up with as exciting a sound as the Rouen instrument at the start of the Second Symphony – although peculiar microphone positioning gives a very distorted image in the same work’s Scherzo. Nor would I like to single out one of these performances above another. These are intensely musical and thoroughly polished readings, perhaps lacking the dazzle (as in the First Symphony’s exuberant finale) of some other available versions, but always presenting the music in an immediately communicative manner.

Well played, well recorded and well documented, Vierne’s six magnificent symphonies are well served by this handsome set.

— Marc Rochester

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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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