Henri Mulet's Carillon-Sortie at St Ouen

[@a55b47]

Ah ! St. Ouen !! As close to perfection as a musical instrument can get.

[@passacaglia28]

No living room sound system today can come close to a live performance on a wonderful organ such as this. Unfortunately, I have never had the pleasure of being anywhere near this particular organ as I am stuck here across the pond. This must be so magnificent in person.

[@wheidelberg]

Absolutely fabulous organ, performance and acoustics in the building.

[@Mark_Dyer1]

St Ouen, Rouen, is one of the most beautiful, cathedral-scale, churches in the entirety of France. On one occasion I was there; and the organist was playing, accompanied by her brother on the trumpet!, whilst it poured down outside. It was Heavenly.

[@williammitchell1864]

I love the sound of the 32' Contre Bombardes in the pedal division of this organ!

[@9doves]

Holy smokes! It sounds like 4 people playing at once! The decibel level must be staggering! Quite amazing!

[@philippeconne6148]

Saint-Ouen de Rouen, le plus beau Cavaillé-Coll de France et la contre-bombarde de 32 à une présence incroyable ! Bravo à l’organiste et au compositeur !

[@OldPost661]

Beautifully disciplined and musical playing. A master musician in complete control of instrument, score, and acoustic. Who could ask for more.

[@ds1868]

The finest organ in the world, in one of the finest church buildings in the world. An intriguing combination. Do go and listen to this organ in concert (the Abbey church is sadly deconsecrated for services), and wait in awe for the finest 32' Contra Bombarde ever created by the hand of man.

[@leedshunk]

that 32 ft bombarde is amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@xReMmiXX]

Always be... :D

[@backbreakers123]

God Bless You, Aristide.

[@hami1ton1]

This was the recessional music played at my college commencement. It was unbelievable.

[@vleermuisje2]

Ik heb Andreas Meisner in 2010 gehoord in de Laurenskerk te Rotterdam. Een geweldig groot vakman en bovendien ook nog een bevlogen man. Ook hier laat hij horen de juiste interpretatie te hebben gevonden voor de weergave van prachtig en beroemd werk van Henri Mulet. Herzlichen Dank Herr Meisner und guten Erfolg!

[@vleermuisje2]

Van deze muziek krijg je werkelijk "hemelse gevoelens". En de wijze waarop Andreas Mesiner de Carillon Sortie uitvoert is meesterlijk. Het is genieten geblazen van deze video. Hartelijk dank voor degene die hem plaatste.

[@gdonaldkaye7611]

A fantastic blur of brilliant sound!

[@omahas9000]

My God. I continue to be amazed by this organ and the accoustics with which it's blessed. Wait.....maybe the accoustics blessed by the presence of this organ! THANK you for posting this incredible recording.

[@besamfi]

Played on exit at my wedding at Ch.Ch. , Lancaster Gate, London on Sept. 1, 1974.

[@tlb25303]

To JFSNAIL: I totally agree,,,,, this is by far Cavaille-Coll's masterpiece...wow wow wow wow !! The acoustics at St Ouen are the best I've heard anywhere on the internet, and I've searched and listened to many, many cathedral organs, and this is by far my favorite organ and building combination. Thanks for the video!

[@jal5240]

Please try the Kolner Dom, in Germany. Accoustic is unbeliable ! Best,

[@tedphillips2501]

Keep in mind this instrument was designed perfectly to fill a space of 4.5 million cubic feet fully and evenly. The genius of Cavaille-Coll will be an inspiration for all time.

[@clarevalleyriesling01]

4.5 million cubic feet of interior space in land area is equivalent to 10 acres of land.

[@albertpeckham9515]

What a joy to hear this great instrument and a really good performer. Thank you. I've been so thankful to have heard this organ in person and believe me, no recording can convey the magnificence of this sound! It will blow your mind!

[@davidcrook4166]

This recording is as good as any I have ever heard MAG NI FI CEEEENT!!!!!!!!!!

[@ds1868]

I agree! To hear this organ live in the Abbey is an unforgetable experience. Full organ sends shivers down the spine!

[@MegaCirse]

Good and beautiful music does not deceive you, it goes straight to the depths of ourselves to seek the pain & the joy that devour us🎉🎊

[@twillertorganprojects]

Beautifull, thanks for the upload.

[@Paschalboy]

WOW I haven't heard this piece for many years, and what a wonderful organ to hear it on, great job to say the least!

[@midkanzan]

What a fantastic performance on one of the finest organs in the world!

[@samsiklas8088]

For those who don't care for Vierne's Carillon de Westminster, I suggest they give Henri Mulet's Carillon a listen. It's more spritely than Viernes' piece (imho).Andreas Meisner's performance is a good introduction to those who haven't heard Cavaille-Colls' 1890 masterpiece instrument.

[@andrewsharples1229]

A wonderful performance at a sensible speed!

[@KE5RHD]

One of the best Carillon renditions I've heard.

[@hdbikerfl1]

What a phenomenal performance!

[@MegaCirse]

La bonne et belle musique ne te trompe pas, elle va droit au plus profond de nous-mêmes chercher le chagrin & la joie qui nous dévorent🎉🎊

[@denisducret4580]

C'est magnifique ! Toujours étonnant de voir si peu de commentaires français sur ces enregistrements des orgues de France.

[@trompettechamade1]

An excellent performance on an outstanding instrument accompanied by fantastic photography! Thanks you very much for posting!

[@gerdi911]

Danke, lieber Andreas Meissner fuer diese tolle Einspielung!!!

[@terrystuart2233]

I love the sound of organs like this. It reminds me of the joy that my mother is having in Heaven. Thank you so much for this music.

[@Pauldaisy2222l]

magnifique, zelden zo'n uitvoering. ongelooflijk

[@paulroberts4271]

It's got some sweet sounding whistles and lots of grunt...love it

[@WilbertBerendsen]

I practiced this piece just because of this very recording :) Now on to Tu es Petra :-)

[@Sokx41]

Having grown up with a Moller pipe organ in my home in the 1940s, spending some time with this instrument is most definitely on my life's bucket list. If I suffered a heart attack and died there it was be worth it.

[@davidhamilton1981]

What a piece - majestic!

[@zanteson]

SUPERB! BRAVO!

[@georgefelty6357]

The sound in this cathedral is just right for this grand piece by Mulet.

[@andrewsharples1229]

A great performance at a sensible speed. Too many players rush pieces like this. Andrew Sharples

[@simonpark7026]

Too many people rush too many things nowadays. It seems that you now have to be the fastest organist/pianist/violinist/contra-bassoonist in the world rather than aspiring to be the best. You simply can't play the Carillon-Sortie too fast on a Cavaille-Coll in a French cathedral because the notes get lost. Every aspiring organist should listen, regularly, to Widor playing his famous toccata in whichever Parisian church it was. Doesn't matter - he lets it breathe, and you can hear every note. But nobody nowadays would dare play it that slowly...

[@redpenink12]

The performer does speed up at the end though?? Otherwise it's a good start

[@organchoirman9698]

@@simonpark7026 Exactly. I studied the "Widor" with Arthur Poister, who studied with Widor. The ridiculous tempi that many Americans play it deeply disgusted Widor, so said Poister. No names but....just think.

[@joeltheivalnec3671]

Acoustique remarquable, définitivement un des plus beaux orgues de France! C’est très bien joué, avec un tempo modéré mais bien contrôlé. 3:38 la contre bombarde est un atout majeur qu’il fallait bien exhiber!

[@organchoirman9698]

Wonderful. Our cathedral in Phoenix has these voices...but sadly not these acoustics!

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

Awesome performance. The organ at St Quen's certainly boasts a powerful roar.

[@vleermuisje2]

Bij Andreas Meisner is Henri Mulet's Carillon-Sortie in uitstekende handen. Wat een prachtige uitvoering! Ik heb Andreas Meisner tijdens een concert in de Grote of St. Laurenskerk te Rotterdam gehoord en dat was ook formidabel. Mijn complimenten nog een keer voor hem, hij verdient dit ten volle als groot musicus en organist.

[@PetervanDalen3053]

Andreas Meisner behoort tot de toporganisten van Duitsland. Dat blijkt niet alleen uit dit prachtig gespeelde werk van Mulet. Bezoek ook eens een concert van hem en je maakt het live mee! Ik deed dat (twee keer) in de Grote of St. Laurenkerk te Rotterdam en (één keer) in de Maria van Jessekerk in Delft.

[@1viva]

Céleste & sublime! Quelle force! :-)

[@adienromarirez2309]

I think I'm a weird case. It's like I can see a visual interpretation of the music just by listening. This was a fantastic rendition on a truly amazing organ.

[@paulroberts4271]

absolutely fanatastic pedle and flue work of a caivaille colle organ.

[@Arky83mi]

i second that! the pedal 8' trompette sure brings out the clarity in the pedal division too

[@jeansebastien2821]

Tout le mérite revient au génial facteur ! Quelle magie ! L'on ne soupçonne pas ce qu'il faut d'art et de science pour avoir réalisé un pareil instrument.

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

Wow!! Even though my cheesy laptop speakers the St. Quen organ is very powerful. I am sorely tempted to hook my laptop to my home theater system just to watch this video again.

[@charlesdavis7087]

Holy Kow! This has still got the fire on it. Electrifying. Call 911. I think I may need resuscitating.

[@Sathrandur]

Interval of a fifth in the pedal for the final chord. It's like he's trying to simulate at 64'. Now imagine what a real 64' Contre-Bombarde would sound like if put on the pedal at St Ouen!

[@johanbrand8601]

It sounds terrible!

[@josparkes9381]

Incredible sound, a taste of heaven on earth !

[@ds1868]

@notredameswarrior1 I think the effect of the 32' Bombarde is probably unique. I've heard it standing in the nave and it's like a tidal wave of sound rolling down the nave. The pipes are 18th Century Clicquot, with a high tin content (and therefore priceless), no doubt Cavaille-Coll gave them new reed tongues, but the end result is spectacular. Without doubt the finest 32' Bombarde in the world.

[@luismanueldias8809]

Ah, a obra, já de si grandiosa, tocada num magnífico Cavaillé-Coll transcende-se!

[@jeanseborg]

This is great!

[@JFSnail]

There are good and bad organs all over the world, I personally love them all! No two organs are the same, thats what is so wonderful, I have favourites of course and St Ouen is one of them :-)

[@hdbikerfl1]

I believe that 32" Bombarde has to be one of the most powerful ever mastered!

[@mrmaniac3]

Oh my God, without a doubt!!

[@dennisa1692]

Blows me out of the water! Damn! Bravo to Caville/Coll and Mr. Meisner!

[@1401JSC]

How many dB, at what distance from the sound source? With which other specimens have you compared it?

[@chen0466]

1401JSC ...... chill out would you? He said he believed it was, not that he had empirical evidence and a 100 page thesis on the subject.

[@chen0466]

Tim H ..... I just love the way that pedal cuts through everything and that 32' reed certainly is a big part of it.

[@RogueHarry]

Un seul mot MAGNIFIQUE

[@passacaglia28]

Impressive... most impressive. I love listening to this awesome organ and feeling the bass from my subwoofer even thought I'm sure no recording can substitute actually being there.

[@gerdi911]

ganz tolle Aufnahme uns wunderschön gespielt!!

[@philippecartondetournai5546]

Représentant de l'orgue romantique injustement méconnu...Morceau brillant sur un instrument parfait...

[@stylusfantasticus]

Aristide Cavaillé-Coll at St.Ouen ...the Michelangelo of organs....

[@thepentium2080]

you have reason!!

[@marsvltor2]

Great to hear about the early history of the organ here... I haven't finished looking for clues either...

[@samthemusicguy]

this is on my 'to do' list

[@jonnyhawkins9887]

Hi Jonny! Love from Mum

[@notredameswarrior1]

This recording proves why St. Ouen to me is the greatest organ in the world. Yea shure there are larger but to me this just beats them all. No other organ to me has a more powerful 32 foot bombard than this. This is just truely music. I really want to know what Cavaille Coll was thinking when he built this 32 foot bombard. Was it the voice of God? I think it might of been.

[@ds1868]

Yes they are. I believe the bottom notes of the 32' Bombarde are not only full length, but they are not 'kinked' at all, but are straight. So the bottom pipes are positioned behind the front turrets, as you see here. Strangely, from the floor of the nave, you cannot see them at all, from any angle (I have tried deliberately to do this). So a clever piece of placement for this 18th Century reed, perhaps the finest 32' Bombarde in the world.

[@raphaelmeyer9940]

When we see all these specialists about the CC of St Ouen, we can be trustful on the possibility to fund its restauration (of course in its original configuration). Who wanna put the first 1000 $ ???

[@stylusfantasticus]

Unparalleled criminal 32´Bombarde !!!!!!

[@Cantorisalto1]

Scrape me off the ceiling is all I can say!!!!!!

[@marsvltor2]

Cavaille-Coll: the greatest builder of all. Here we have his final instrument, including everything he had learned...what a result! (Finest CD recording of it is, in my view, Moriset-Balier, playing Widor 2: just listen to the Final... Regards Paul :-)

[@klemensbrumann3952]

Die Orgel ist einfach großartig Auch der Organist spielt das Stück von Henry Mulet einfach hervorragend So eine Interpretation würde auf der Billerbecker Domorgel auch prima zuspielen sein

[@OldPost661]

It's fair to note that he ends the piece a little faster than he began it, but playing that piece on that organ must be such an almighty rush that it's to his credit that it only sped up a little. I would have had a heart attack.

[@trompettechamade1]

@ds1868 Without saying anything about St. Ouen's 32' Bombarde (I have never heard it live), the one in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C. is quite impressive also. It used to even more dominant before he 2003 rebuild (when it was known as the Contra Trombone). It would sound as loud as the entire rest organ, and compete with the Pontifical Trumpet, but it is still very impressive now.

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

Amen to that!

[@Herr_strauss91]

@JFSnail I agree with you, however the Atlantic City Hall Convention Center has a 64 ft. 9 inch Diaphone Dulzian Low C Pipe that they can combine with a 42 ft. and 2/3 pipe. Very tonal and massive!

[@VicRomero5]

All churches in France built before 1900 are owned by the state as part of the country's heritage and are leased back to the Catholic Church for use as houses of worship. The state pays for the buildings' upkeep and maintenance.

[@christianus59]

Vic Romero, two small details: - before 1905, - only the cathedrals are property of the state, the other churches belong to the communes

[@janmoeyaert1]

I agree!

[@passacaglia28]

Wow! It is as if there is thunder in the pedal line. :D

[@ds1868]

There were also problems at St George's, Windsor Castle, where the 32' pedal reed was also causing structural problems as well! I don't think they allowed for huge reed stops when building in the 15th Century! Interestingly they corrected the structural problems, not the stop!!

[@BearAZ]

Who are the 9 cretins that gave this a thumbs down? **boggle**

[@Goodchappy]

They are the other part of the extra 6 cretins to date who added to the thumbs down.

[@benediktpovel2520]

BearAZ because they ARE stupid cretins!

[@darwinshaver5692]

Why does that always happen? Surely they're not organist, and they are unhappy souls. I understand the effort that goes into this.

[@mazarinivmikeoxlong-dedica969]

People have their ways.

[@JFSnail]

There is a pic in this video at 3:05 which shows the top portion of some of the 32' Bombarde pipes.

[@robertgift]

Wonderful clear performance and great recording. The 64' could not cause any structural damage to the foundation.. If something was that weak, it needs to be strengthened. Reinforce the windows. Where are the 64' Bombarde pipes? I bet the real reason was because they would not speak or speak quickly enough.

[@ds1868]

It's the finest 32' Bombarde in the world.

[@GuillaumeDeslandres]

I think so. But if it is so "fine", it's (also) because it finds the "right place".

[@ds1868]

The only info I have of the previous organ is taken from the sleeve of Michael Murray's recording on the Telarc Label: " Little is known about the first organ to occupy the elegant case of 1630...Destroyed during the Revolution, this instrument was rebuilt by Dallery in 1828". Cavaille Coll then rebuilt this instrument in 1890. It would be interesting to get a detailed breakdown of the history of the pipework, but probably now impossible.

[@churchwhistles]

@Bassetenator Go for both instruments! Get a good headstart on the piano. When you feel totally comfortable at the keyboard, then start on the organ. The instruments have a different touch, but I think they are complementary to each other. Good luck!

[@passacaglia28]

God I would love to be present and "feel" the subsonic tremors from either organ. That must be quite an experience. Or even the piercing sound of the ACCHO's Grand Ophicleid, which operates on 100" of wind pressure! :D

[@mohaa909]

@poopingeneral You can call it a bit that way ;) Those organs were build by Cavaillé-coll, one of the most influencing organbuilders in France and for the French Romantic Era. The most churches were he build his organs were large Gothic ones. They are really fitted in the space where they stand :)

[@JFSnail]

64' Contra Trombone. Combined with the 32' Contra Posaune it does sound incredible.

[@marsvltor2]

ds - I'll do a little bit of 'digging around' over the S Ouen scalings. Not at home at present (laptop!!), but I'll look at the big Motette Cavaille-Coll boxed LP set, as it has comprehensive specs and more... Maybe tomorrow before I get back though...

[@trompettechamade1]

@notredameswarrior1 You might be interested in the Washington Cathedral's July 4 concert at 11AM. You can sit in the Great Choir where the organ pipes are. It may be one of the last chances to hear a different organ before it is dismantled and replaced. Many, many people are dismayed to hear that they are planning to replace it rather than restore it. In addition they plan to install a Cassavant organ in the western gallery, something I suggested to several organists for over 10 years.

[@JFSnail]

Interesting story! Wesley died in 1876, 14 years before Hill built the first ever 64' reed for Sydney Town Hall. Interesting place to put one though :-)

[@ds1868]

I agree Paul, I have the M-B CD of Widor 9, Final totally awesome. How did C-C achieve all this with 64 stops? You don't need big instruments to be the best! Try telling that to the Americans!!

[@voltigeur1850]

Pedal entrance at 3.38...oh my!

[@ds1868]

Well I just wonder if the scale (width) of the stop is a little bit bigger than other C-C examples? But I go along with the setting, an incredible acoustic and of course the near perfect position of the organ gallery half way up the West End (thus also showing near all the rose window, unlike NDdeP where the organ gallery/tribune is too high, imho). But yes the St Ouen 32' is head and shoulders above NP and St Sulpice! and by definition the best in the world, as no one can match the C-C reeds!