Suite Gothique - Léon Boëllmann

Léon BOËLLMANN (1862-1897) - Gothic Suite op.25

A composer and organist, like Vierne, Widor and Tournemire, his contemporaries, the adopted son of Eugène Gigout (a famous organist, teacher and composer of his time), Léon Boëllmann was also a great admirer of César Franck: he was part of the brilliant French school of the 'symphonic' organ, an instrument-orchestra of incomparable scope and range. The Suite Gothique is the most remembered of his works, composed in 1895 for the inauguration of the new organ at the Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame in Dijon, and known in particular for its last two movements; Prière à Notre Dame (Prayer to Our Lady) and Toccata. He also arranged this famous Toccata for violin or cello and piano. Widor's Symphonie Gothique for organ was composed in the same year and shares the neo-Gothic aesthetic found in the architectural acheivements of their time. This Suite is an intruiging interweaving of elements from both the past and present, creating a mosaic of contrasting atmospheres. A chorale (a liturgical musical style with a Protestant identity) with archaic harmonies is followed by a minuet (18th century dance) described as gothic; this is followed by the St Sulpician gentleness of the prayer, with subtle harmonic effects which have Franck's influence, and the demonstrative virtuosity of the closing toccata.

Transcription for accordion : Mélanie Brégant

Duration : 13'