Customer Reviews

Louis Vierne: Organist of Notre Dame Cathedral (The Complete Organ Series Vol 3)

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This is the most complete book on Vierne to date. Highly recommended. The majority of the book is Vierne's own Memoirs translated into english. The remainder constists of some analization of the organ works, textual corrections of the symphonies, improvisation themes written by Vierne, etc. Most complete, and a fanscinating read as well as being highly useful. No organist should be without a copy!

A fascinating account of both the struggles of this blind organist as well as the French organ school at the turn of the nineteenth century. This exhaustive chronicle of the life and music of Vierne includes autobiographical details on how he overcame his infirmities and performance anxiety to become one of the most outstanding French organists and composers of all time. There are some remarkable insights into his method of improvizing, and the study interweaves his career with those of his teachers Franck and Widor, as well as pupils Dupre and others. The deep tragedies of losing a brother and son in WWI are described, and his dramatic death at the console of the Notre Dame organ. Organists will appreciate the performance notes on most of Vierne's own works, plus a measure by measure analysis of his interpretation of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in d minor. A very readable format features autobiographical narrative on right hand pages, with notes and photographs on the left. Overall, paints a portrait of a very sensitive, intelligent composer, and heightens one's appreciation for the richness of his music.

The Max B. Miller Book Award was created by The American Guild of Organists for the specific purpose of honoring works of seminal and academic importance in the field of organ literature, history, and performance. Academician and music historian Rollin Smith has won this prestigious award for "Louis Vierne: Organist of Notre Dame Cathedral", a comprehensive and seminal history of Notre-Dame Cathedral organist Louis Vierne (1870-1937) who served in that capacity for 37 years. A dedicated organist, Vierne was to die still at his console, leaving behind an impressive legacy of performances and catalogue of organ works. Of special note are the chapters dedicated to his American tour. Enhanced with informative and insightful contemporary anecdotal stories by those who worked with him, as well as others who were to be influenced by him, "Louis Vierne: Organist of Notre Dame Cathedral" is especially recommended as a core addition to academic library Music History reference collections in general, and the supplemental reading lists for dedicated students of the organ in particular.