Louis Vieme was born at Poitiers in 1870 and was for many years the organist at the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris until the time of his death in 1937. Vieme extended and intensified the chromatic language of Franck and like his master, he succeeded in forging for himself a musical language which was unique and personal. His organ works includes 24 Pieces en style libre, 24 Pieces de fantasie and six Symphonies. The symphonies are large-scale works in five movements which span the whole of his creative life. The third of them composed in 1912 was dedicated to Vierne's friend and pupil Marcel Dupre and it marks a distinct advance stylistically on the two earlier essays of this kind. It is shorter, more concentrated, more concise and for the first time elements emerge which were to be hallmarks of the composer's mature style, not least of which is the bitter-sweet harmonic language.
The first movement is a splendid allegro in modified sonata form with perfectly contrasted groups of material.
The second is a cantilena in which sinuous melodies for reed stops are heard against rippling flute accompaniments.
The third movement, rather a grizzly little scherzo is vintage Vierne, terse, caustic and bizzare.
The fourth movement, one of the most lovely of his creations seems to breathe the atmosphere of Notre-Dame whilst the fifth, a brilliant toccata-style allegro must surely be one of the most technically exciting concert pieces composed for the large organ.
Violinist Johnny Gandelsman commissioned work from a wide variety of composers for this complex and diverse portrait of the U.S. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 5, 2022
On Mizrahi's sophomore album of solo piano works, he ably performs works by Sarah Kirkland Snider, Troy Herion, Mark Dancigers etc. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 10, 2016
There’s a quiet beauty to this remix album of compositions by Michael Vincent Waller, with contributions from JLin, Prefuse 73, & more. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 1, 2024
Somber, beautiful string meditations abound on the debut album by Oxford cellist and composer Lou Lyne and her ensemble. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 30, 2024
Comprising 32 takes on iconic Robert Schumann compositions, the emergent pianist's Pentatone debut is a must-hear for classical fans. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 11, 2024