Sarah Soularue in concert at the great Cavaillé-Coll organ at St. Ouen

[@Mark_Dyer1]

Sheltering from a deluge, around 25 years ago, we wandered into St Ouen to hear this wonderful organ being played. No chairs in the nave; just huge empty space, a thunder-storm outside: it was a sublime experience. Thank GOD for the civilised World!

[@plasticraincoat1]

What is there to dislike????? It's utterly fantastic! Some people must have hit the wrong button accidentally!

[@omahas9000]

I love it....I LOVE IT....this assistant, on the left, has pulled a stop at the very end she wasn't expecting, but which made a difference, and she liked it.....fabulous! What an amAZing instrument....and didn't she do a job?? WOW.

[@albertpeckham8708]

In my estimation, it is still the world's greatest organ. It has the majesty and cohesiveness to carry the sound no matter how aggressive or reticent. After hearing this grand instrument in person among other Cavaille-Coll instruments, it still stands out as his greatest achievements. He is the greatest of all the world's organ builders.

[@vleermuisje2]

Wat een geweldige opname. Niet alleen de muziek van de onvolprezen Louis Vierne maar ook het zien van het orgel en de de speeltafel van een van de machtigste/prachtigste muziekjuwelen die Aristide Cavaille Coll heeft geschapen. En Sarah Soularue is een erg groot vakvrouw!

[@bryanhardy3311]

Some 20 years ago I played this instrument for a concert. Arguably the greatest of the Masters Organs , combined with the acoustic that echos the past Masters performances. It is breathtaking to hear, no recording can do this stupendous Organ justice, Vivre La France and all her musical daring over the centuries !. Bryan Hardy

[@johnhaskell5311]

I cannot find the words to express how thrilling this Vierne piece is and Sarah Soularue's technique is extraordinary, and of course, this Cavalle-Coll instrument is magnificant. I have watched this many times and each time I am left in a transfixed state and appreciative of the art only a great civilization (French) can produce.

[@pegrueneis]

nice to see the assistants" last second addition" of the 32" Subbass (left side toprow) and the "Why not" smile of mdme.Soularue !

[@cordanguy]

Simplement admirable, la meilleure interprétation sans conteste plus le plaisir de voir Madame Soularue "faire corps" avec l'orgue! quel talent!

[@colinminton9190]

spinetingling perrformance by Ms Soularue on this superb organ. Thank you

[@DSM1G90]

Serious pedal work in this piece ! Excellent performance !

[@markb61]

St Ouen SOARS! Oh My God - to hear it in person. On the bucket list it goes. And Sarah, fantastic playing. Bravo!

[@hughcreighton9384]

Wonderful playing on one of the great world organs !!!

[@unkastacky]

Beyond magnificent! Sublime! That sound, simply incomparable. And the performance is almost superhuman! I had no idea such a black belt of pedal technique was required for this piece. Brava, a thousand time!

[@cedricschnyder]

Du grand art sur un magnifique Cavaillé-Coll, de l'expressivité et des sforzandos efficaces...bravo!

[@jfpb1567]

You studied with the Masters and they gave you exceptional training. It is like hearing Mme Durufle playing once more. Thank you for sharing!

[@kyotokid4]

..One of my favourites by Mr Vierne. I so have to go hear this instrument on my European trip.

[@marsvltor2]

Lovely performance. After all these years, I can't believe C-C managed this of a mere 64 stops. Simply the greatest instrument of all :-)

[@organman52]

Madame Soularou is magnificent. I am in heaven listening to this amazing piece/organ/performer.

[@michedowning7088]

Thank you ever so much for such a brilliant performance..I am 66 years old and have listened to all the french organ repertoire for years even all these pieces played by mu uncle who had studied with Marcel Dupré and Charles Tournemire in Paris! You are a great exponent of that music we cherish so much and now realizing that it will NEVER get out of style thanks to you and others who who have LE FEU SACRÉ..as they say in French. Keep giving us so much enjoyment. I am Michel from Montréal Canada.

[@Bubbles3327]

Magnificent as always. Ms.Soularue is amazing and has immense talent. Thank you.

[@michaelroberts1039]

The people with her pull stops for her and do NOT play pedals . Whoever said this knows nothing about organ playing ! This woman is phenomenal.

[@paulcaswell2813]

They've been known to use the ventils though ;-)

[@peteacher52]

The experts always make it look easy when in reality, that is far from the truth! This is a superb performance on the organ Daniel Roth describes as "gorgeous", and is, in my opinion, one of the finest of its era in the world. This video was helped greatly by quality filming and sound recording. 1 lonely dislike, eh? Never mind, Sarah; some mothers do 'ave 'em!

[@philipdavey6094]

Truly Magnificent! What wonderful playing on such a superb organ.

[@FromHolbergsTime]

A splendid composition superbly played, nicely recorded featuring fabulous sound, truly a fantastic portrait of Cavaille-Coll's masterpiece! Glenn

[@1401JSC]

Really excellent, Sarah! Scintillant playing and registration, you let the music breathe and the acoustic does the reste. Amazing what one can do with smaller hands. The spread between 4th and 5th fingers helps us a lot.

[@altpapapi]

Stunning! A marvelous performance on a grand instrument. Thanks!

[@chidlers99]

Wow! I have never heard of this organist, but boy is she good, I mean girl is she good.

[@TheClockwise770]

Wonderful enlightening piece and superbly played . Thank you for posting Sarah *****

[@hagst27]

Sidéral, et sidérant. Merci Sarah pour cet immense moment.

[@H00yaah]

The acoustics are magnificent; a perfect compliment to the artistry that is her performance.

[@MarkHarmer]

Beautiful, compelling playing, and mastery of control of that beast of an instrument. Superb!

[@charlesdavis7087]

Really, what a 'monster,' and she put the dam thing through to the test... with grace and authority. I don't know much about her, but obviously, she's a master. The truth is... self-evident! CVD

[@drbobdrake]

Cavaillé-Coll was asked to rework the St. Ouen organ in 1851 but passed on the job. The 17th century organ case had to be maintained and that limited the size of the organ that could be placed behind it. With another 39 years of organ building under his belt he tackled the job near the end of his career (1888-90) and created what Widor said was a Michelangelo masterpiece despite its smaller size.

[@charlesdavis7087]

Thrilling. You put the "hot" in fire. Thanks for sharing your heart with all of us.

[@organcomposer]

Magnifique interprétation de cette finale. Félicitations Sarah.

[@davidcottingham8295]

Fantastic performance, excellent organist and excellent organ! :)

[@pg3529]

La plus parfaite interprétation de la finale de la Symphonie no 3 de Vierne que j'ai entendue! Vous pouvez être fière de vous, madame Soularue! :-) Les gens auraient dû applaudir cent fois plus fort!

[@p.e.gottrocks4528]

vraiment

[@99SpidermanFan]

Vous avez magnifiquement joué ce chef-d'oeuvre! Merci!

[@anthonyd7605]

de toute beauté :D magnifique milles bravos !

[@thetenor1000]

Cavaille-Coll's masterpiece? Yes. The greatest organ in the world? Very probably. This is a great performance of a truly great piece on probably the best instrument it could be played on bar NDdeP. Thanks for posting; I never tire of hearing this instrument.

[@michaelmartens7728]

I can share your opinion - the old and historic instruments have - despite the tons of dust - an irresistible charme the new instruments have to reach in at least two generations. Unfortunately, NDdeP has been modified a bit too far from ACC's original sound - but time goes by...

[@jv04jm]

I just keep coming back for more of this - it's just sooooo awesome!

[@marsvltor2]

Love the ending - obviously Sarah wanted to finish with the big 32' - and finally she got it!!!

[@DSM1G90]

Those pocket Zoom H2 and H4 recorders, for their price, are fantastic to capture events like this in stereo !

[@bombarde1701a]

WOW!! Cavaille Coll's TRUE masterpiece!

[@principals16842]

At first I thought it was a bit fast, but I was proved quite wrong. What a fine performance on one of the most exciting and beautiful instruments anywhere in the world! I had to laugh when the registrant drew the 32' Soubasse on the last chord and Mme Soularue glanced over, smiled, and shrugged as if to say, "Sure, why not?"

[@charlesdavis7087]

Dear Justin Fries; I saw what you meant about the, "Sure, why not." That's what I call "insight." Clever boy! If I may, might I ask you a question related to both acoustics and organ technique. It goes something like this: from where this work was recorded (in the organ loft I presume), doesn't it sometimes like the pedal is lagging behind? The fundamental is slightly off. I was thinking about sharing this with Sarah, but... maybe I'm just trying understand how I would play this work. Learning... never ends and why not learn from the best? CVD

[@S.Lander]

EXACTLY! Who could resist with that open 12th at the end!

[@robhoffhines630]

Thank you, I was wondering what that "special sauce" was the assistant tossed in there at the fin. Loved her response too! I'm not an organist...so thanks!

[@principals16842]

@@robhoffhines630 I think the special sauce was mostly the 32' Bombarde added at 6:13. The Soubasse was the equivalent of adding "impulse power too" to the warp engines in Star Trek: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXeqnpusrZaYos0

[@Highinsight7]

WOW!!! GREAT playing!!!

[@denismeyer6470]

Magnifique, quel talent, merci Madame Soularue !

[@XY_Dude]

I want one of those organs in my living room!! Goodness...

[@stylusfantasticus]

however improbable....

[@XY_Dude]

@@stylusfantasticus ‘Ya think?!!

[@danieldahbash2406]

I want my living room in one those organs...

[@jeansebastien2821]

Interprétation d'une rare qualité. Tout y est : respect ABSOLU du texte (c'est rare de nos jours...), intelligence de la registration sur un orgue très compliqué compte tenu de la très forte personnalité de chaque jeu et surtout musicalité exceptionnelle. Pourquoi une telle organiste n'occupe-t-elle pas le rang qui est le sien ? Instrumentiste d'orchestre, le monde de l'orgue, si masculin, reste pour moi un réel mystère Merci pour ces deux chefs d'oeuvre : ce morceau et votre jeu exemplaire

[@7CieGrim]

Elle l'occupait, mais comme elle me l'a dit elle-même, elle a préféré quitter le panier de crabes qu'est Paris et se consacrer à l'enseignement et aux concerts en province. Je confirme à 100% votre jugement sur son jeu, et c'est en plus une organiste extrêmement sympathique pour qui j'ai quelque fois la chance de tirer les jeux :)

[@xavier659]

@Jean SEBASTIEN Sauf qu'elle s'est plantée à 3:50 Rien n'est absolu, tout est relatif (dixit un certain Albert E.)

[@jacqueslahondere4649]

Sarah, vous êtes une grande dame; j'ai beaucoup aimé cette oeuvre ...et vous la jouez à la perfection .

[@charlesdavis7087]

I think this is about the tenth time I've throughly enjoy this moment in time. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@clydesight]

What an amazing and wonderful performance! Bravissimo! The only thing I was disappointed with was the mild audience response. I'd have been standing on my seat shouting "Bravo!". They should have been as well, because this was a great performance. Thank you for posting it.

[@michaelmiller1215]

clydesight Exactly!

[@arnolambregtse]

An great performance. Wonderfull!

[@charlesdavis7087]

Definitive! Thank you Sarah and team for sharing. This will stand the test of time. CVD

[@molamola4868]

So beautiful!

[@bernarddesaintvaulry5366]

Très belle conclusion de cette 3ème symphonie, servie par une interprétation de 1er ordre. J'ai toujours autant de plaisir à écouter la musique de Louis Vierne, si riche harmoniquement, et si précise en ce qui concerne la structure ( forme sonate ).De plus, si Vierne est essentiellement connu pour son œuvre d'orgue, on retrouve son univers sonore dans sa musique de chambre. ( sonate pour violoncelle et piano, quatuor à cordes, quintette pour piano et cordes....)

[@Skoogorganist]

Absolutely amazing! Incredible!

[@jv04jm]

what a glorious sound! Stellar performance!!! The smile at the end is a good indication too. :)

[@philjo3]

Beautiful music!

[@annakimborahpa]

Se magnifique, Madame Soularue.

[@TheJojo01902]

The reverb is stunning!

[@SempreGumby]

Love this kind of stuff. So cool.

[@93mrpunkt]

beautiful piece, extra-ordinary organ! Cavaille-Coll was a genius :-)

[@jmdujardin]

le grand Cavaillé-Coll de St Ouen de Rouen est immense, cet enregistrement en témoigne à nouveau, comme plusieurs autres ; je le place au-dessus de St Sulpice à Paris, et même de St Sernin de Toulouse. l'Abbatiale a aussi pour elle un charme immense, avec cette grande nef dépouillée de tout, puisque St Ouen n'est plus dédiée au culte ; grande luminosité, parois de calcaire blanc dans lequel sont incrustés d'innombrables silex noirs. Et puis cet instrument, haut perché comme innaccessible, d'où tombe cette musique...Je suis sous le charme de St Ouen . Louis Vierne est-il venu jouer à St Ouen ? Sa 3eme symphonie y sonne superbement, merci Sarah Soularue, c'est réussi.

[@buckbuchan]

Dear Sarah, WOW!!!! INCREDIBLE!!!!! It's been so long since we've seen you. Thank you!!! Keith and Buck in Kansas City

[@Sinatra70]

Bravo! Bravo! Wonderful performance!

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

Splendid performance!

[@ds1868]

You won't believe how good it really is until you listen to this instrument in the flesh. Stand one third down from the West End, slightly to the right of centre, and you will be truly amazed.

[@win3xp2]

A special Thank You! to the original uploader of this video. And, of course to Mdme. Soularue who is one formidable artist whom I much very much admire. -- She's obviously 'living the dream" that I once lived. And now she's shared it with all of us who care of such things. Many thanks for this performance. --ew

[@1sergecampione]

SPLENDIDE QUELLE TECHNIQUE ..VRAIMENT MAGNIFIQUE ET QUEL ORGUE !!!!!

[@johnny.3693]

Absolutely stunning.

[@CincyOrgan]

Now that's getting ORGANized. Bravo!

[@dominiquemorlotti2758]

Somptueux ! Bravo

[@luispereira3930]

Fantástica interpretação Madame Sarah Soularue!

[@mohaa909]

Beautifully played!! :D

[@mlodyorganista]

great performance!

[@vleermuisje2]

Grandioos! Wat een geweldige uitvoering. Hartelijke dank!

[@paoloangeri5146]

grandissima interpretazione organo meraviglioso bravissima

[@paulleendertse5865]

Wat een topuitvoering. En zo doe je dat!! Niet lullen maar poetsen. Fantastisch!!!

[@nightnano]

very good

[@marioribeirodeazevedoneto311]

Para tocar este órgão tem que competência e acima de tudo explorar sua potência. Sarah Soularue foi impecável em sua exibição. Parabéns, merci!

[@plasticraincoat1]

Utterly and totally FANTASTIC - I wish i'd been there in real life-she can come and play my laboratory organ anytime - mind you the only reed she would have is a buzzy krumm horn :( . God Bless you Cavaille-Coll, you knew your stuff!

[@geniusboy98]

I like how when she goes out to bow the assistants jump right into doing the registrations for the next piece

[@roelofbouwman]

The only thing I can say is that I have deep respect for the way you are performing. I envy you !

[@ds1868]

@wagglet This organ is probably a great match for anything. It is an object lesson for all organ builders. Cavaille-Coll retained much of the 18th century pipework from the previous instrument, including the famous 32' Bombarde, which has a high tin content. Today builders use zinc for the resonators. I have attended concerts in person and the overall effect is ten times more astonishing than any recording. The sheer dynamic tonal power and harmonic balance from only 64 stops is incredible.

[@jack2848]

SUPERBE, fabuleux !!!!

[@russedav5]

@leeuw333 Oh yes. all of them are fabulous works and this is a fabulous instrument masterfully handled by Soularue.

[@gerardbedecarter]

Magnificent!

[@paulcaswell2813]

Love her face as the Contrabombarde is pulled right at the end! A picture of happiness :-)

[@OscarMSmithMusic]

Please upload more stuff like this! You don't often see such good quality stuff on KZbin!!the Carillon you said she played would have been very popular if you uploaded it.

[@waterevent]

Great!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Very well done !

[@leeuw333]

Beautiful performance. Thanks and maybe we can get some more of this concert?

[@bombarde1701a]

Love how her console assistant pulled the 32’ Bombarde at the end!

[@lee1984yate]

Nice quick pull of the 32' :-)

[@georgemurphy2579]

I performed this piece at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. In 2004 I had a chance to play this instrument at St. Ouen and there is no console, per se. The control desk is built into the casework. Assistants are needed because there are no pistons and/or presets. French organs of this type also do not have the luxury of super and sub couplers, and, never is there a crescendo pedal. Playing these beauties takes real work. Nice job in the performance, too!

[@at0mcollision]

George Murphy I agree with you, but this organ has a Swell pedal and Suboctave and Octave couplers, unlike some other French Romantic organs.

[@tedphillips2501]

It has always amazed me how Cavaille-Coll could make a Pedal Boudon 16' that seems to magically adjust to fit what ever sound level it is supporting. Anyone know how he did it?

[@ds1868]

Apart from the great performance, the quality of recording is incredible! Only a little distortion when fff - no doubt due to transfer to youtube. Marvellous!

[@MegaCirse]

Esta música sublime muestra que incluso en una alcantarilla mental como el catolicismo, pueden florecer hermosas plantas !

[@accousticdecay]

Stunning!!