Symphonie Romane: Organ Music by Dupré, Widor & Tournemire Peter Stevens

• Marcel Dupré (1886 - 1971): 4 Pieces, Op. 19:
• 1 Dupré: 4 Pieces, Op. 19: II. Cortège et litanie 06:19
• Charles-Marie Widor (1844 - 1937): Symphonie romane, Op. 73:
• 2 Widor: Symphonie romane, Op. 73: I. Moderato 08:00
• 3 Widor: Symphonie romane, Op. 73: II. Choral 09:25
• 4 Widor: Symphonie romane, Op. 73: III. Cantilène 05:58
• 5 Widor: Symphonie romane, Op. 73: IV. Finale 09:47
• Charles Tournemire (1870 - 1939): L'Orgue Mystique, Volume 25:
• 6 Tournemire: L'Orgue Mystique, Volume 25: V. Fantaisie-Choral 09:07
• Marcel Dupré: Deuxième Symphonie, Op. 26:
• 7 Dupré: Deuxième Symphonie, Op. 26: I. Preludio 09:05
• 8 Dupré: Deuxième Symphonie, Op. 26: II. Intermezzo 04:49
• 9 Dupré: Deuxième Symphonie, Op. 26: III. Toccata 06:18
• Total Runtime 01:08:48

Info for Symphonie Romane: Organ Music by Dupré, Widor & Tournemire

"Peter Stevens plays works by three towering figures of the French organ world. Charles-Marie Widor’s Symphonie Romane is a radiant meditation on the Gregorian chants of Easter Sunday, and the Fantaisie-Choral from Tournemire’s L’Orgue Mystique is a deeply spiritual reflection on two of the best-known chants of Pentecost: Veni Sancte Spiritus and Veni Creator Spiritus. Two contrasting pieces by Marcel Dupré bookend the programme: his Cortège et Litanie is probably his best-loved work for the organ, while the uninhibited confidence of the Deuxième Symphonie shows a different side of the composer’s personality; its visceral and hard-hitting textures given electrifying voice by the Ruffatti organ of Buckfast Abbey.

‘Stevens’ sense of the symphony’s architecture is…supported by a fine technique, a sumptuous organ and a glorious acoustic. This is a very impressive recorded performance indeed… A certain impudence with a slightly sarcastic edge informs his superbly perky performance of the second movement, while the swashbuckling Toccata with which the Symphony concludes comes across full of swagger and self-confidence… A super performance to round off a really super album." (MusicWeb International)

"The repertoire—imposing works of late Romantic music—calls for big treatment and receives it. The organ and organist make it come vibrantly alive. The room adds rich and reverberant acoustics, and the production gives us an up-close perspective on the sound… There is an illuminating precision to Stevens’s playing…without compromising the melodic element, he highlights the rich and difficult harmonies… The packaging of the album is gorgeous—perhaps the nicest in my collection… The cover art is beautiful. Highly recommended." (American Organist)

Peter Stevens, organ of Buckfast Abbey

Peter Stevens
has been directing the Schola Cantorum at the Edington Festival since 2013, and before that was Festival Organist for three years. He was formerly Organ Scholar at Westminster Cathedral, and was appointed their Assistant Master of Music in January 2011. In addition to working with the Cathedral Choir, he organises and gives many of the Cathedral’s organ recitals.

Peter was born in Bury, Lancashire, in 1987. He spent his sixth form years at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, where in his final year he also held the Junior Organ Scholarship at Manchester Cathedral. On leaving school, he spent a year as Organ Scholar at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he played for services at which members of the Royal Family were present, including the service to mark HM The Queen’s 80th birthday.

Peter spent four years as Organ Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge, accompanying the famous Chapel Choir in their daily services, broadcasts and recordings, as well as studying for BA and MusB degrees. He played three times for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, broadcast live on Christmas Eve to a worldwide audience of millions. His organ teachers have included Thomas Trotter, Colin Walsh and David Briggs.

This album contains no booklet.