Gillian Weir

French Virtuoso Organ Music (CD)

A first CD release for a thrilling recital of dazzling toccatas and fantasias from the French organ tradition by one of the world’s most celebrated musicians. Installed in 1972 and built by the Austrian firm of Hradetzky, the four-manual organ at the Royal Northern College of Music was just four years old when Gillian Weir recorded this album. She draws from it a robust, vibrant sound and a dazzling array of French-accented colours in a showpiece recital which shows off both organ and organist to best advantage.

TRACK LIST

MARCEL DUPRÉ (1886–1971)
Variations sur un Noël

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921)
Fantaisie, Op. 159

LOUIS VIERNE (1870–1937)
Feux follets
Naïades Toccata in B flat major

JACQUES CHARPENTIER (1933–2017)
L’ange à la Trompette

MARCEL DUPRÉ (1886–1971)
Symphony No. 2, Op. 26

Gillian Weir at the Hradetzky organ in The Royal Northern College of Music