0028948414246

Jeanne Demessieux - The Decca Legacy

Jeanne Demessieux; L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande

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Format: 8CD

Cat No: ELQ4841424

Release Date:  16 April 2021

Label:  Australian Eloquence

Packaging Type:  Box Set

No of Units:  8

Barcode:  0028948414246

Genres:  Classical  Solo Instrumental  

  • Description

    From her legendary debut through the succeeding years, Jeanne Demessieux brought virtuosity allied to intellect and sensitivity, and went on to become the glory of the French organ school.

    This 8-CD celebration of one of the instrument's most spoken-of, yet enigmatic figures, brings together for the first time her complete Decca recordings and a previously unpublished BBC Radio broadcast, and is released to mark the centenary of her birth.

    ".....the result is an indispensable resource for organ aficionados. Five instruments figure and the intensity of articulation, atmosphere and feeling of this recreation of the grand tradition is overwhelming." The Sunday Times

    It includes Demessieux's legendary Franck recordings; her recordings from St. Mark's, North Audley Street, London, many released for the first time since the original 78s; little-known recordings of sacred songs with Demessieux accompanying the Belgian soprano, Suzanne Danco; and an improvisation on a submitted theme from the only extant BBC radio broadcast with Demessieux, which also includes Bach, Buxtehude, Widor and Messiaen.

    The accompanying booklet includes details of Demessieux's unpublished recordings, rare photos and facsimiles of some of her programs, extensive notes, including details of some of the recording sessions; and notes on the instruments and full specifications for each of the five organs.

    "Jeanne Demessieux is the greatest organist of all generations" – MARCEL DUPRE

    Demessieux's relationship with Decca began in May 1947, just a year after her legendary Paris debut, and this collection of all her commercial recordings spans the whole of her public career. She was one of the first women to achieve stardom in the world of the organ – a dimly-lit, often cloistered demi-monde dominated by men throughout its history.

    Now, a hundred years after her birth, she remains one of the instrument's most spoken-of, yet enigmatic, figures. Few organists have ever achieved such fame. In the middle of the twentieth century she was one of the world's most famous instrumentalists, the undisputed doyenne of organists.

    'In the world of the arts, a fairy tale evokes either annoyance or delight. But one must believe it, when the unique and prodigious character happens to be a young lady, 25 years of age, who from the very first moment of her public appearance manifested herself as the irresistible absolute perfection.' – LE FIGARO

    'You have before you a very great artist, a magnificent mind, a star of the organ, capable of succeeding me. She will be – I'm sure of this – one of the greatest glories of France.' – MARCEL DUPRE

    'Next to Jeanne Demessieux we all play the pedals like elephants!' – MAURICE DURUFLE

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. JS BACH: Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565 (Rec. 1947)
      • 2. FELIX MENDELSSOHN: Sonata In A Major, Op. 65 No. 3 – Maestoso
      • 3. JEREMIAH CLARKE: Trumpet Tune (formally Attrib. Henry Purcell / Trans. Marcel Dupre)
      • 4. CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR: Toccata (Symphonie V, Op. 42 No. 1)
      • 5. CESAR FRANCK: Cantabile (Trois Pieces)
      • 6. Pastorale (Six Pieces)
      • 7. Fantaisie (Trois Pieces)
      • 8. JS BACH Prelude And Fugue In D Major, BWV 532
      • 9. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565 (Rec. 1951)

      Disc 2

      • 1. JS BACH: Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564
      • 2. Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, BWV 543
      • 3. Chorale Prelude: Wenn Wir In Hochsten Noten Sein, BWV 641
      • 4. Chorale Prelude: Nun Komm’ Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
      • 5. Chorale Prelude: Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 688
      • 6. Fugue In G Major (A La Gigue), BWV 577
      • 7. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
      • 8. Fantasia And Fugue In G Minor, BWV 542
      • 9. Concerto In A Minor, BWV 593

      Disc 3

      • 1. CESAR FRANCK: Trois Chorals
      • 2. FRANZ LISZT: Fantasia And Fugue On ‘Ad Nos, As Salutarem Undam’
      • 3. CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR: Variations (Symphonie Gothique, Op. 70)

      Disc 4

      • 1. GEORGE FREDERIC HANDEL: Organ Concerto In G Minor, Op. 4 No. 1, HWV 289
      • 2. Organ Concerto In B Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2, HWV 290
      • 3. HEINRICH SCHUTZ: Eile Mich, Gott, Zu Erretten, SWV 282
      • 4. JS BACH: Bist Du Bei Mir, BWV 508
      • 5. Komm, Susser Tod, Komm, Selge Ruh’, BWV 478
      • 6. Warum Betrubst Du Dich, BWV 516
      • 7. FRANZ LISZT: Prelude And Fugue On B.A.C.H
      • 8. CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR: Allegro (Symphony No. 6, Op. 42 No. 2)
      • 9. EDOUARD MIGNAN: Toccata Medievale
      • 10. JEAN BERVEILLER: Mouvement
      • 11. JEANNE DEMESSIEUX: Te Deum, Op. 11

      Disc 5

      • 1. JS BACH: Choral Prelude: O Mensch, Bewein’ Dein’ Sunde Gross BWV 622
      • 2. Chorale Prelude: Christ Unser Herr Zum Jordan Kam, BWV 684
      • 3. Fantasia In G Major, BWV 572
      • 4. Sinfonia From Cantata No. 29, BWV 29
      • 5. Chorale-Prelude: Erbarm’ Dich Mein, O Herre Gott, BWV 721
      • 6. Toccata And Fugue In F Major, BWV 540
      • 7. WA MOZART: Adagio And Fugue In C Minor, KV 546 / 426
      • 8. Fantasia In F Minor, KV 608

      Disc 6

      • 1. CESAR FRANCK: Six Pieces

      Disc 7

      • 1. CESAR FRANCK: Trois Pieces
      • 4. Trois Chorals

      Disc 8

      • 1. MESSIAEN: Transports De Joie D’une Ame Devant La Gloire Du Christ Qui Est La Sienne
      • 2. JS BACH: Choral Prelude: Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier, BWV 731
      • 3. JEAN BERVEILLER: Mouvement
      • 4. CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR: Toccata (Symphonie V, Op. 42 No. 1)
      • 5. DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE: Fugue In C Major, BuxWV 174
      • 6. JS BACH: Choral Prelude: Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier, BWV 731
      • 7. CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR: Allegro Vivace (Symphonie V, Op. 42 No. 1)
      • 8. JEANNE DEMESSIEUX: Improvisation On A Theme Submitted By Adrian Beaumont