BaL 26.12.15 - Poulenc: Organ Concerto

[umslopogaas]

I have the Durufle version in its original LP incarnation. I also have an RCA LP, SB 2147, with Berj Zamkochian on the organ, cond. Munch. Presumably it hasnt made it to CD?

Is the Durufle version HIP ish? It was made in 1961, I didnt think they'd invented HIP by then?

[vinteuil]

But we do have a HIP(pish) version, with the original organist Durufle, and an out of tune organ.
I love it, perhaps because it was the first version I owned, as is so often the case.

PS: It's the Grandes Orgues (sic) de l'eglise Saint-Etienne-du-Mont (EMI CDC 7477232).

it looks as if this organ wd be well suited : wiki tells us -

"Les orgues de l'église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont.

Le grand orgue de tribune
Le buffet, construit par Jean Buron en 1630, est considéré comme un véritable chef-d'œuvre de menuiserie. L'orgue en lui-même est de Pierre Le Pescheur et date de 1636. L'orgue est gravement détérioré en 1760 au cours d'un violent incendie. Il est reconstruit par Cliquot en 1777, puis Aristide Cavaillé-Coll l'enrichit en 1863 et 1873. Théodore Puget apporte des améliorations en 1911. La maison Beuchet-Debierre effectue une transformation radicale en 1956 à l'instigation de Maurice Duruflé. Danion-Gonzalez réharmonise le tout et change la console en 1975; Bernard Dargassies effectue un relevage en 1991 et un autre en été 2011.

4 claviers manuels et pédalier ;
89 jeux ;
traction électrique des claviers et des jeux.
Cet instrument fut la tribune du célèbre compositeur Maurice Duruflé et de sa femme Marie-Madeleine Duruflé.
Vincent Warnier et Thierry Escaich sont les organistes actuels."

[rauschwerk]

I have the Durufle version in its original LP incarnation. I also have an RCA LP, SB 2147, with Berj Zamkochian on the organ, cond. Munch. Presumably it hasnt made it to CD?

The Munch version was available on CD for a good few years. The Preston/Ozawa version uses the same instrument.

[Bryn]

I have the Duruflé/Prêtre and the Preston/Previn, but have just ordered the King/Roth as it looks rather tempting.

[Pulcinella]

Is the Durufle version HIP ish? It was made in 1961, I didnt think they'd invented HIP by then?

By HIP(pish) I meant no more than there being a historical connection in that Durufle was the soloist in the first (both private and public) performances, and advised Poulenc about registration (so says Wiki).

[Bryn]

Tuned in rather late, so did not quite catch which of the Preston recordings was runner up. Looks like I got it right in ordering the King/Roth though. Much enjoyed it in my one listening so far, in the car.

[zola]

Tuned in rather late, so did not quite catch which of the Preston recordings was runner up.

The Boston SO version with Ozawa.

[VodkaDilc]

It's a shame that the Preston/LSO version did not get a mention. I've got it coupled with the Turangalila, though perhaps it's not available now.

I enjoyed the BAL, despite a rather nit-picking approach, I thought. The reviewer seemed to have certain bees in his bonnet (he certainly did not like Dame Gillian's last recording) and I felt that his eventual 'winner' became clear very early on.

Personally I cannot imagine an unenjoyable performance of this work; out of tune organs and muddy acoustics just add to the fun.

[mahlerei]

Did the live YN-S/O'Donnell recording get a look in? Very fine performance IMO, and a good balance between soloist and orchhestra.

[zola]

Did the live YN-S/O'Donnell recording get a look in? Very fine performance IMO, and a good balance between soloist and orchhestra.

Yes, was considered a contender but ultimately rejected because of the RFH acoustic.

[umslopogaas]

Ah, thanks Pulcinella, that makes good sense.

If the organ is out of tune I cant say I've noticed. Where is it most obvious?

[subcontrabass]

Personally I cannot imagine an unenjoyable performance of this work; out of tune organs and muddy acoustics just add to the fun.

Our of tune or just using a different tuning???

[VodkaDilc]

Our of tune or just using a different tuning???

In the case of the Duruflé recording, he suggested it was out of tune.

[Pulcinella]

Ah, thanks Pulcinella, that makes good sense.

If the organ is out of tune I cant say I've noticed. Where is it most obvious?

I don't really notice it either, and it certainly doesn't bother me.
But it is often mentioned as a 'feature' of this recording, and the reviewer (I have just listened on iPlayer) commented on it in the final extract he played from it.

Am I right in thinking that he referred to the two RFH recordings featured as being on the same organ? Though technically true, wasn't the LPO version made after the latest rebuild? Not sure how much this will have affected the organ and its sound though.

As others have commented, no mention of the other Simon Preston or Marie-Claire Alain recordings, both of which I have. Must give them a spin when I get home again from Christmas festivities.

PS: Don't have the disc to hand, but does the Preston LSO version use the RFH organ too?
PPS: Now not sure which my other MCA recording will be: Matinon or Conlon. Suspect Conlon, as it is on a 2CD Erato set.

[mahlerei]

Yes, was considered a contender but ultimately rejected because of the RFH acoustic.

Really? I'm usually picky about these things and thought the recording among the best of recent LPO issues. Oh well...