Prélude from the first suite of the 24 Pièces de Fantaisie (Op. 51, No. 1) by Louis Vierne performed by Ben Bloor on the 45 stop 1954 Downes/Walker organ of the London Oratory Church on Friday 9th October 2020.
Louis Vierne had a very difficult life. Blind from an early age, he lost his brother and son to the First World War, his wife left him for a close personal friend, and he was frequently overlooked for high-profile teaching jobs at the Paris Conservatoire. Nevertheless, he was Organist Titulaire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris for the last 37 years of his life – indeed, he tragically died of a heart attack at the organ console during his 1750th recital – and his organ compositions are an enduring legacy, adored by audiences and organists for their inventiveness and originality. The 24 Pièces de Fantaisie were composed while on summer holiday in 1926 and 1927 and showcase Vierne at his most creative.
In early 1927, Vierne embarked on a four-month tour of North America and Canada to raise funds for the Notre Dame organ which was rapidly falling into disrepair. He took this opportunity to premier the whole first suite on 4th February 1927 at the New York Wanamaker department store and he played the complete set another three times during the tour. The Prélude is the first piece of the set and is constructed of vivacious semiquaver chords in the hands, with a more lyrical cello-like tune in the pedals.
Ben Bloor is Organist at the London Oratory Church and School Organist at Westminster School. For more information, please visit [ Ссылка ]
