There are two golden ages of French organ music. Most people have heard something from the symphonic organ age, which ended with World War II. Fewer people have plumbed the riches of the baroque period, when cathedrals both grandiose and modest invested in new pipe organs and elaborate organ music became an integral part of worship.
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The current grand master of French baroque organ repertoire, Frédéric Desenclos, the titular organist at the royal chapel at Versailles Palace, has been dusting off fantastic scores for two decades now. His latest album, beautifully packaged by Radio France for its Tempéraments series, features the work of the virtually forgotten Louis Marchand (1669-1732).
Marchand, who led a very disorderly life both professionally and personally, was the king’s organist for a little while. He was also known for his virtuosity at the keyboards and pedals.
The composer was also not careful enough with his money to set some aside for publishing his work. Only a single book of organ pieces has come down to us. But through careful research through stacks of old manuscript pages and a knack for programming, Desenclos has put together three suites of pieces to go with the posthumously published edition (in 1740) of Marchand’s Premier Livre.
Desenclos has also included a gorgeous, 10-minute Grand Dialogue from 1696.
The craft behind much of this music is considerable. And there are special demands on the organist, including playing independent fugue parts with each foot, at one point.
The music was recorded at one of the few original 18th century organs still in use in France, at Sarlat Cathedral in the south. The church’s records include the original final receipt for the work completed in 1752. The sparely decorated building survived post-Revolutionary pillaging, and the instrument was given a special historical designation in 1952.
Most churches and cathedrals modernized and upgraded their instruments in the late 19th century, so it’s a treat to hear Marchand’s music as it was meant to sound — edged with the slightly shrill and dissonant timbres of baroque pipework. The quality of this Radio France broadcast recording from 2011 is exceptional.
The broadcaster still hasn’t seen fit to provide English translation on its website. But if you can manage French, you’ll find more information as well as some audio samples here.
John Terauds
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
