Hi Gerard,
I have just read your article in the latest issue of Organists’ Review on Gigout. Did you know that there is a recording of Gigout playing Mendelssohn sonata #6 on Youtube? He plays the toccata section much slower than most other players but he very clearly articulates the difference between the semi- and demi semi quavers which is difficult to achieve when played at typical modern speeds. His style of playing is somewhat different to what we are used to today. You need to search for Britannic Organ vol 12 to find it. On the same disk there is also a recording of Lemare playing the same work, I was expecting a tour de force from him given his phenomenal technique, but his performance is also very staid. If you want to hear Lemare at his best then listen to him play the scherzo from his second symphony (his best work in my opinion), the pedal cadenza defies what is humanly possible. I have two CDs of this work played by top-notch players, but listening to Lemare play it is like going from B&W to colour. Incidentally, I am the proud possessor of your complete set of Gigout CDs as well as your Oxford organ CD which is hugely enjoyable with the finest performances currently available of the Lemare transcriptions.
Hi Gerard,
I have just read your article in the latest issue of Organists’ Review on Gigout. Did you know that there is a recording of Gigout playing Mendelssohn sonata #6 on Youtube? He plays the toccata section much slower than most other players but he very clearly articulates the difference between the semi- and demi semi quavers which is difficult to achieve when played at typical modern speeds. His style of playing is somewhat different to what we are used to today. You need to search for Britannic Organ vol 12 to find it. On the same disk there is also a recording of Lemare playing the same work, I was expecting a tour de force from him given his phenomenal technique, but his performance is also very staid. If you want to hear Lemare at his best then listen to him play the scherzo from his second symphony (his best work in my opinion), the pedal cadenza defies what is humanly possible. I have two CDs of this work played by top-notch players, but listening to Lemare play it is like going from B&W to colour. Incidentally, I am the proud possessor of your complete set of Gigout CDs as well as your Oxford organ CD which is hugely enjoyable with the finest performances currently available of the Lemare transcriptions.