Alexandre the Great #0110
Before the age of intercontinental air travel, he travelled thousands of miles touring the world as a virtuoso recitalist. The friendly and fatherly Alexander Guilmant also taught at the Paris Conservatory and, along with his compatriots Franck and Widor, revolutionized the art of the organ in 19th century France. Guilmant’s repertoire covered four centuries, and his own compositions number in the hundreds, embracing equally sweet sentiment, intimate charm, and the glory and passion that only organ music can deliver. We’ll offer you a taste of the best, from Pastorales to Caprices, Marches to Madrigals, Sonatas to Symphonies. With an international reputation and an exceptional repertoire, Alexander Guilmant ranks high on the list of famous French organists, and you’ll know why when you listen to his music. It’s Alexandre the Great, this week on Pipedreams.
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Entrée, from Sonata Number 7 in F, Opus 89 –David Briggs (1887 Henry Willis/Truro Cathedral, England, UK) Motette CD MOT 11541
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Noël Ecossais, Opus 60 –Marek Toporowski (1883 Henry Willis/Dominican Priory, London, England, UK) Musicon CD-010
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Caprice in B-flat –John West (1987 Rodgers/Glenkirk Presbyterian, Glendora, CA) PowerHouse Productions CD-1001
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Grand Choeur, from Sonata Number 7, Opus 89 –Ben van Oosten (1890 Cavaillé-Coll/Église Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France) Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG 316 0340/42
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Madrigal in E-flat, Opus 52 –Helge Schulz (1864 Ladegast/St. Mary Church, Weissenfels, Germany) Motette CD MOT 11571
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Morceau symphonique –Alain Trudel, tb; Patrick Wedd (1901 Casavant Frères; 1954 Casavant Frères; 1986 Guilbault-Therien/Église du Gesu, Montréal, Québec, Canada) Naxos 8.553716
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Marche Funebre et Chant Séraphique –Will Headlee (1950 Holtkamp/Setnor Auditorium, Crouse College, Syracuse, NY) Raven OAR-440
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Pastorale in A, Opus 26 –Ursula Hauser (1897 Kuhn/Church of Saint Johann, Schaffhausen, Switzerland) Pan Classics CD-510049
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Symphony Number 2 in A for Organ and Orchestra, Opus 91, movements 3, 2 & 1 –BBC Philharmonic, Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor; Ian Tracey (1926 Henry Willis & Sons/Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool, England, UK) Chandos CD-9785
