Jeanne Demessieux: Etude n.6 (Octaves)

[@Kanawha]

Remarkable performance of one of the most difficult pieces in organ literature. Playing an instrument with electric transmission probably also made for such a smooth performance.

[@lennieunderscoreboy]

10 fingers, 2 feet with the heel and toes playing, how on earth do you mange, absolutely fantastic!

[@cassandref2414]

he's my teacher 🤘

[@johnflanagan2936]

He is actually playing with the music open in front of him. When shot from above, the black canopy on the light on the music rack provides an optical illusion that obscures the music rack. Best performance of this piece I have ever heard. His technique is incredible.

[@charlesdavis7087]

+John Flanagan Dear John; Would you be so kind as to enlighten me (to some degree) as to what is actually going on here with Mr. Patel and these compositions of J. Demessieux? They go beyond anything I've ever heard before and I've been a student of the organ for 40+ years. In my mind, they reek of death, furry and madness... but the technique is of the highest order. Who is this Mr. Patel and Jeanne Demessieux? Is there some kind of tradition they come from or is this coming straight out of the future? They take my breath away every time I listen. I stand in absolute awe. I stand in chaos, naked and without understanding. CVD

[@federicosavio]

+Charles Davis Dear Charles, I am Federico Savio, the Producer and Film maker of this DVD. I can tell you that Jeanne Demessieux came from the great French school of the legendary Marcel Dupré. She was probably the greatest pupil of Dupré. She is famous for her incredible and perfect organ technique. The "6 Etuudes" are a "reply" and a demostration of what her technique was! It is not difficoult to understand this. She simply tryed to push the organ technique to extremes. Hope my humble reply is usuful to you... Best. Federico.

[@charlesdavis7087]

+Federico Savio Thank you Federico. I am honored that you would have taken the time to share your insights on these might works and the one playing them. CVD

[@johnflanagan2936]

+Charles Davis Hi Charles, Mr. Savio said it better than I could have. But suffice it to say, these are etudes and, as such, their main purpose is to provide a vehicle toward mastering modern organ technique from a number of important angles. (By the way, Demmesieux's teacher, Marcel Dupre, wrote a preface to the Etudes, an introduction that is most informative as to the motivation and utility of these pieces.) Demessieux was, I think, very much influenced by Dupre, While Dupre's influences are clear, these pieces also represent a departure from his style of composition. In some ways it seems to me more akin to the idiom within which Messiaen was writing. And, while I too find these pieces breathtaking, I have to confess, I prefer Dupre's compositions to hers. That said, however, Demessieux's Etudes are technical masterpieces and learning them catapult one's technique into the stratosphere. In terms of the idiom within which they are written, you might find it interesting to compare Demessieux's compositions to those of Rolande Falcinelli, another student of Dupre, and Dupre's successor as professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory. As for Maxim Patel, I can't tell you much except that he studied under Pierre Labrique, a student of Demessieux, who, many years earlier, also recorded her complete organ works. Patel is now the titulaire at the Trinite in Paris standing in succession to a long line of organists that have included Naji Hakim and Olivier Messiaen. I hope this helps.

[@charlesdavis7087]

Dear John; Thank you for your wisdom and insights into these rather occult matters. I too am a student of the organ, of Sound, of Color, of Healing, and composers like Messiaen, Scriabin, and all students of the Muses: Terpsichore and Calliope. My prayers go out to Mr. Patel... for his health and safety. Rare indeed are those who have chosen to achieve... let alone those who have achieved the technical qualities of "The Master." I await Mr. Patel's compositions. Again, my heartfelt thanks. Charles Vincent Davis, A.T.O.M.

[@jv04jm]

One word is all I can say: Unbelievable!!!

[@JimRomanOrganist]

What a wonderful piece of music and really well played. One of my favorite Demessieux etudes.

[@jvinikour]

Maxim! Bravo! Truly impressive. I can really not understand the polemic that seems to exist in the comments. Fascinating music, extraordinarily complex, and amazingly well played! Superb!

[@ethankorbin894]

I know Im asking randomly but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account..? I stupidly forgot my password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me!

[@brockbraylen4039]

@Ethan Korbin instablaster :)

[@bhigdaddymark]

Exactly! I'm with you, and no need to apologize. I haven't as much patience as you, and I tend to say the heck with being civil, just straighten them out. These posts are wonderful, and I wish that I could play like this gentleman and most other "real" organists for that matter. I appreciate them all and you as well for you obvious knowledge of the music written for the organ. Thank you!

[@leedshunk]

How incredible is this organist ? Such difficult music yet he's as cool as a cool thing !!!

[@francomulet8897]

I could never aspire to play this piece. It touches a place deep within my soul. Thank you for recording these, Mr. Patel.

[@jacqueslahondere4649]

c'est très beau et c'est magnifiquement bien joué

[@glenngrande]

Playing octaves is I think the most difficult technique in my opinion..... and he did it flawlessly!!!!

[@trompettechamade1]

@glenngrande I agree; utterly fantastic! Pedal octaves are notoriously difficult to play, and the fast passages are horrendously difficult, yet he pulls them off so easily! Thanks very much to the peformer and the poster! Qull magnifique!

[@trompettechamade1]

@glenngrande I agree; utterly fantastic! Pedal octaves are notoriously difficult to play, and the fast passages are horrendously difficult, yet he pulls them off so easily! Thanks very much to the peformer and the poster!

[@Larsky1010]

@originaltommy Good for you! Somebody needed to say this! Patel is astounding! I've bought the DVD!

[@carterdriggs]

This is my favorite movement of the exercises! Well played too!

[@organistspectacular]

T E R R I F I C !!!

[@user-nk5jb8dj1s]

Quelle technique. Bravo de faire vivre cette musique avec un tel brio. Maxime Patel reprend le flambeau de Pierre Labric pour que l'œuvre de Jeanne Demessieux ne disparaisse pas.

[@organistspectacular]

Brilliant 🎉🎉

[@Leon1949Green]

To Charles and musichiere et al: I started organ almost 50 years after piano. But through the Dupre chorals, and the Bach, I can see my way ahead through the Dupre inventions, the antiphons, and some other Demessieux to this.

[@jmdujardin]

Étonnant exercice de virtuosité à 2 mains 10 doigts 2 pieds...et un bon cerveau....! Merci. Quel est ce grand orgue ?

[@fs6887]

C’est magistralement épatant

[@composerpan]

Wow! Thanks for posting this!

[@dougjensen]

These spectacular Demessieux videos are on the Fugatto 025 DVD. I bought it from the Organ Historical Society (it is also available elsewhere). Aside from the wonderful performances, notice how well Federico Savio has recorded the performer so that you can see has hands and feet. These videos set a new high standard for the quality of organ performance recordings on KZbin (regardless of whether you appreciate Demessieux's compositions).

[@allanbars]

I would have believed there was no editing, until I noticed his book was open in some shots and not in others.

[@organman52]

You are preaching to the choir. I have played such instruments as the E. M. Skinner at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity in Brooklyn, NY and whenever I needed something from the 5th manual, I simply coupled it down to the 4th or even 3rd manual, using the appropriate unison off. More than four manuals is never necessary, in my view.

[@furlvr1961]

That piece of "musical" literature is complete CHAOS! WTF was that shit!!!

[@drhennielambrechts9213]

Brilliant

[@musichiere70]

@mmtrebuchet Dear Sir, I understand your disappointment about this music, but to understand it, you should know the history of these compositions, and the "history" of the composer. J. Demessieux, how was a genius and technically very gifted, while studing with Marcel Dupré, was invited by Dupré to write a very virtuosic work (Studies) for the Organ. This is the reason for which she wrote this impressive work, as a demonstration of the extent to which the Organ technique could be pushed to.

[@Leon1949Green]

PS: Love this organ!

[@organist12345]

The sixth one is called Chamadewerk unter Dach

[@sebastianKB]

Maybe... but: not every modern music is good music only because it is modern and disturbing at first hearing. You may find similar complex music in a Bach Triosonata on a baroque instrument. It's very difficult to play, but I can't find why I should fall in love with this music.

[@AristideCavCol]

@mmtrebuchet There certainly is an element of personal preference concerning any style of music on behalf of the listener. However it is rewarding to try to explore a creation beyond those initial boundries. In his comment, Musichiere70 most accurately describes an approach to Mme Demessieux music. In extension, it is a great approach applicable to many creations that may seem less accessible upon first contact, but one that may eventually lead to exciting artistic discoveries.

[@Moses_DAWG]

Hi 👋

[@willowthebored]

@organman52 So, the question is, when does it cross the line from being Unnecessary But Awesome to Unnecessary And Stupid? Hell, with a digital combination action I think any decent performer ought to be able to take the Wanamaker and give a stunning rendition of Pictures At An Exhibition on the first three manuals alone. I'll concede the point, but in retrospect I think it really just boils down to personal taste. That said, if it were in my basement, I'd go with four. *runs*

[@kyotokid4]

...almost makes Sowerby's "Pageant" look easy.

[@voixdelabime]

You have to be what to play this piece like being in a promenade, a demigod? I cannot believe it took 3 dislikes.

[@757177]

écrivez l'équivalent et nous en reparlerons!

[@willowthebored]

@organman52 Not necessarily. I mean, it seems excessive now, but back in the days of yore, before they improved that clunky, awkward invention called a coupler and moved the control down to the pedalboard, having (and needing) five manuals, one for each independent division, wasn't unusual. There are still uses for a fifth manual - it's usually the Solo for a reason. However, I think six is pushing it - nobody can reach up there. XD

[@willowthebored]

I don't think anybody ever actually uses the sixth manual...it's probably just there for bragging rights and coupling purposes.

[@charlesdavis5802]

God… must be your teacher! No question about it.

[@cassandref2414]

Charles Davis he's my teacher

[@ryantbh]

Forza Jack Penate

[@jennyvargas524]

Le premier est un des rares pays qui a été fait pour le monde de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la Anouk de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique de la musique 😂

[@juergen07091973]

6 Manuale, ist das sinnvoll, Manuale zu haben, wo man sich halb verrenken muß, um dranzukommen? In der heutigen Zeit, wo man problemlos Werke frei Manualen zuweisen kann, wie man lustig ist? Je nach Lade sogar einzelne Register? Da ist mehr als vier eigentlich Quatsch.

[@willowthebored]

'Academic masturbation?' Is there something WRONG with that? A recital isn't just one bloody piece long, you know. You educate people by slipping complex works like this in with the Bach and the Widor. You make it seem like this kind of music is all we play; most organists *can't* play works this difficult, and anyone who can OUGHT to be held in high regard. Incidentally, it's plenty musical...the only reason your ears have to be hurting is an intolerance for mixtures and reeds.

[@jbennett8000]

Nah. Bach wins. ;)

[@organman52]

Even a FIFTH manual is preposterous - and totally unnecessary.