Recommended Recordings

With comments by Organ School teachers

 

Germany/Netherlands     Italy     France     England     Improvisations     Miscellaneous

 

France

Title Performer Label Cat. No.
de Grigny: Mass and Hymns Olivier Vennet Ligia Digital Lidi 0104125-03
Vibrant recording quality of the Mass and Hymns with Plainsong
Eugene Gigout Organ Works, Vol 2 Gerard Brooks at St Ouen, Rouen Priory PRCD762
Fine playing from one of the St Giles' team and a wonderful instrument too!
French Music for Harmonium, Vol 2 [Vierne to Hakim] Anne Page on an 1897 Mustel / Voix Celeste Recordings, 18 Hill Close, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 ONR  
Fascinating listening for really understanding the French Romantic idiom
Franck: Complete Works Gillian Weir Collins Classics COLL70442
 
Clérambault, Organ music with sung interludes Jean Boyer at Virgin Veritas    
Hear it as it might have been performed
Vierne and Widor Symphonies Ben Van Oosten at Rouen, Lyon etc. Dabringhaus & Grimm (repertoire played on appropriate instruments)    
Sympathetic performances on three appropriate organs
Vierne Symphonies 2 and 3 Olivier Latry   BNL112741
 
Duruflé Complete Works Olivier Latry    
Duruflé Requiem and organ pieces
Maurice Duruflé Maurice Duruflé Erato 4509-96952-2
Duruflé conducts and plays Duruflé
Tournemire: Office de l’Assomption; Cinq Improvisations Susan Landale Calliope CAL 9936
Wonderful Cavaille-Coll at Sainte Etienne in Caen and some (rather flat) plainsong
Orgues et Organists 20th Century Tournemire EMI  
Unmissable as a document! Includes Tournemire at St.Clotilde when it was still largely as Franck knew it.
Messiaen par lui-meme Messiaen [at Sainte Trinite, Paris] EMI Classics  
Maybe not everyone's preferred performances, but a vital reference tool if you're learning Messiaen's music
Messiaen Complete organ works Gillian Weir at Århus Cathedral Priory PRCD921
Authoritative performances in superb acoustic. Fabulous Danish organ.
Messiaen Complete organ works Olivier Latry at Notre Dame, Paris DGG 4714802
Authoritative, personal performances, and the unmistakable sound of Notre Dame

 

Germany/Netherlands     Italy     France     England     Improvisations     Miscellaneous