Philippe Brandeis: Prélude improvisé, orgue Cavaillé-Coll Sacré-Coeur, Paris

Philippe Brandeis: Prélude improvisé, orgue Cavaillé-Coll Basilique Sacré-Coeur, Paris XVIII
organsparisaz4.orguesdeparis.fr/sacre%20coeur.htm
organsparisaz4.organsofparis.eu/sacre%20coeur.htm
OrgansOfParis/

[@stthomasmore4811]

So incredibly moving: the phenomenal "distant fire" breaking into a conflagration in the improvisation, the procession, the haunting congregational antiphon, AND knowing this stunning church is well-filled with actual prayer! It is all of а piece. This great instrument is an INTEGRAL part of the entire mystical recipe burning within this singular monument to Christ's Sacred Heart. I wish there were a way to fund this tremendous instrument's restoration as a Spiritual Work of Mercy!

[@aaschach]

Awesome sound and beautiful hymn - Almost brings tears to your eyes!!! FYI - for those critics on here , saying it needs this and needs that. Shut the hell up and enjoy the music. Ain’t what you got it’s what you can do with it. Damn thing has been around for over a hundred years , the dude who built it obviously knew what he was doing!

[@tubamaxima187]

The organ at Sacre-Coeur is an amazing instrument. It was the last Cavaille-Coll built, actually Cavaille-Coll/Mutin. The acoustics are incredible.

[@flyingdutchman4794]

What a haunting piece of music. The organ has such a sense of restrained power. Thank-you for posting this; it is beautiful and would be thrilling to hear in person

[@SAMGREYCUP]

J❤ . Très beau thème au récit. Reprise au pédalier. 🎹🎵🎶

[@marcellinedurand4304]

Magnifique prélude! Il est tellement bien réussi que cela fait un effet merveilleux quand le chant commence.... D'ailleurs, merci d'avoir laissé le chant d'entrée.... Après tout, l'organiste est là pour servir cette musique alors je préfère cela plutôt que de couper et de laisser juste l'improvisation....

[@ermenegildoguerra]

I love this instrument

[@sutefuanu]

Enfin, le Sacré-Coeur ! Même non restauré, il sonne merveilleusement. Très belle improvisation, merci. Et également très belle adéquation dans l'accompagnement du chant, les registrations sont parfaites.

[@Contre-Bombarde32]

Superbe👏👏👏

[@bombarde1701a]

The Improvisation and even the opening hymn and procession sound as beautiful and haunting at the same time.

[@chrishoffman.organist]

do you know the hymn name?

[@stylusfantasticus]

Both creatures they match perfectly.

[@jimh.6697]

Stunning and moving improv and responsory choral presentation! Wish that we had more of this in the U.S., including among other elements this wonderful mostly Cavaille-Coll organ. Many thanks to Vincent Hildebrandt for this beautiful post.

[@jeansebastien2821]

Magnifique, juste magnifique!

[@WouterTukker]

Amazing how uniquely recognizable the combination of organ and acoustic space is in Sacré Coeur ... Apparently, the solo reeds need a good deal of tuning and the mixtures sound very much suppressed (if they are being used at all in this recording). It almost sounds like nothing has changed since Daniel Roth recorded here a good many years ago with Franck´s 3rd Choral and Widor´s famous Toccata on the first side of the LP and 4 magnificent improvations on the second side, I even hear echos of the first improvisation here, could that be? Whatever, one cannot but be impressed by this heavenly sound!

[@eb.1]

Wow. Three expressive divisions! I don’t know of any other Cavaille-Coll that has this.

[@Skoogorganist]

Either move this incredible instrument from Sacre Coeur or allow it to be restored. Hugely talented organists in Sacre Coeur, they deserve better, so does this incredible instrument. Very nice impro from Brandeis.

[@gerwinhoekstra]

Amen to that!

[@Skoogorganist]

+Richard Harrold As you've probably understood, my statement was more of a expression of how grave the situation is, than an actual ultimatum. I obviously don't have any power over the parish of Sacre Coeur. Though my honest opinion is that the organ isn't powerful enough for the church. I'm not really a fan of powerful organs but one can hear that the instrument wasn't built for such a large room. I'm not sure that instrument will ever be restored. The church doesn't seem to care at all. For example, if I've understood correctly, they do not have any concerts in Sacre Coeur.

[@Sathrandur]

I was so excited to see a video from Sacrè-Choeur! There seems to be limited recordings of this organ (perpetual adoration, I know). If they restored this instrument it would be wonderful - in fact I think it would be more wonderful than the organ at Saint-Sulpice. I really love the current specification of this organ, but they really should change the 4' Viole on the Grande-Orgue back to a 4' Flûte Harmonique. Honestly, with some work, they might have one of the most wonderful organs ever built in what is arguably the most beautiful church in the world. What a combination!

[@Sathrandur]

I hate not having a 4' Flute when needed, but I didn't notice the string chorus. I guess having both the Viole and the Flûte Harmonique would indeed be the best outcome. But if I had to choose I would still select the flute as it seems to be required for many more registrations.

[@Skoogorganist]

+Sathrandur It would be nice with a Flûte 4' indeed though you wouldn't use the Flûte 4' in a fonds registration 16', 8', 4' of the GO on a CC. There's almost never any need since the Prestant 4 is so Flûteé.

[@Sathrandur]

You make a very good point. When 4' flutes are specifically required in French symphonic registrations they are often (perhaps invariably) on the Positif; I cannot think of any instances in the literature that actually call for one on the Grande-Orgue.

[@WINCHANDLE]

I'm impressed by your rather esoteric recommendation, and the equally knowledgeable replies. Wow.. Just saw a youtube vid on N.D. heartbreaking. No mention of the organ though. Search " ces oeuvres ont survecu..." Am learning French, and typed the subtitled text into google translate.

[@AirchimeLTDproductions174]

If they do however perform a renovation on this instrument, I would surely like that they keep the 1898 console for purposes of heritage. and perhaps maybe slightly modernize the console just like the same was done for the wonderful C-C Grand Organ of Neuilly-Sur-Seine Saint Pierre. For more info on what happened to the instrument please visit this link. organsparisaz.vhhil.nl/neuilly%20stp.htm

[@omsi2332]

Cet instrument est magnifique, un réel chef d’œuvre 👍

[@florianeandres9386]

Il est surtout faux

[@omsi2332]

@@florianeandres9386 Il est faux car il est en mauvais état. Il faudrait de restaurer.

[@florianeandres9386]

Inutile d'utiliser des anches fausses dans ce cas... ça n'a rien de majestueux.

[@toniodak8993]

what a strong pedal sound!

[@wardadridi5320]

Incroyable !!!!

[@tomws5594]

Un instrument magnifique 👍

[@pldejong9013]

Onvoorstelbaar,ook van dit orgel zo weinig opnamen.D.V. in Juni de Cesar Franck Box,gespeeld door Ben van Oosten,ook dit maal weer op Rouen. Het is in het buitenland al niet anders als in ons eigen orgelland.Bolsward,Kampen maar wie weet dat er geweldige orgels staan in Schijndel,Boxtel,DenBosch St.Catherinakerk,Nieuwe kerk Amsterdam en vele anderen.Warm aan bevolen.

[@Peter1954-l3x]

Er is geen een romantische orgel in Nederland wat op kan tegen dit machtige orgel. Helaas wordt het slecht onderhouden en klinkt het zowat altijd vals. Brandeis is een groot improvisator en heeft ook dat grootse in zijn improvisaties zoals Daniel Roth.

[@jacqueslahondere4649]

quelle oeuvre musicale! tout est splendide. Merci.

[@cliveso]

5:18 Look at how he operates the ventils! That's what a titulaire has to do when there isn't an organist at the orgue de choeur...

[@francois7]

That's impressive !

[@jacqueslahondere4649]

je ne connaissais pas ce compositeur; je viens de découvrir un remarquable organiste . Quant à l'instrument , c'est le fruit d'un génie

[@jacqueslahondere4649]

magnifique interprétation .

[@Ebbesmeyer]

Pas un interpretation - mais un improvisation...😉

[@Feldi09867]

I love the reeds on this organ

[@bombarde1701a]

Get more from here please!

[@flyingdutchman4794]

Is there some reason why there are few, if any, recordings of the French Romantic organ literature played on this instrument? The improvisations are masterful, but it would be thrilling to hear, for instance, Vierne's Symphonie nr. 1 performed on this organ.

[@OrgansofParis]

this church is used for prayers 24/7 (including the nights), there is no time at all to play on the organ, it can be used only during the masses. In addition, the organ is in a terrible state nowadays :(

[@ermenegildoguerra]

There are some CDs (very few, unfortunately) recorded on this beautiful instrument. One of the bests is that of the Mottette with the Mass of Vierne and Mulet's Tu es Petra. There is another one with the Widor's Toccata and the Franck's 3rd Choral but it's rare and difficult to find. On Spotify you can find two CD's of Naji Hakim.

[@thomaswalters4365]

Sounds like a restoration was needed back then. Wind pressure sounds weak and weak wind will effect the tuning. Otherwise, this is one of my favourite organs. A masterpiece.

[@BostonBum15]

yes, there are famous leaks of air reducing the wind pressure

[@quentinduverdier2941]

Magnifique instrument (autrefois dans le château du baron de l'épée, un musicien un peu mégalo!) et qui mériterait mille fois d'être correctement restauré... On peut se demander pourquoi cela n'a pas été fait depuis longtemps! Cette vidéo fait bien imaginer quel serait son potentiel une fois restauré... Un Cavaillé Coll qui égalerait, voire surpasserait, celui de St Sulpice?

[@Sathrandur]

Un Cavaillé Coll qui égalerait, voire surpasserait, celui de St Sulpice? C'est exactement ce que je pense.

[@quentinduverdier2941]

Sathrandur à part qu'il n'est pas exactement dans l'état d'origine...

[@Sathrandur]

Vrai. Mais je suis favorable à la spécification actuelle car elle est plus complète; c'est toujours très dans le style de Cavaillé-Coll. Mais la 4' Viole sur la Grande-Orgue devrait être remplacée par la 4' Flûte Harmonique originale.

[@tomws5594]

Quentin du Verdier Je suis du même avis: je trouve que le style de Cavaillé-Coll est presque intact. Je suis aussi étonné que cet instrument, en plus classifié monument historique n’a toujours pas été rénové, le financement étant le problème, je suis notamment confus, pourquoi l’état/la mairie de Paris ne finance pas une partie des travaux ? 🤔

[@Airy59]

Le problème est qu'il est placé dans une église où on n'a pas le droit de le jouer, et il prend la poussière et la suie des cierges... une honte. Il aurait été idéal à ND de la Treille à Lille. Mais je l'ai entendu au temps de sa splendeur (après la restauration Renaud des années 80) et oui, quelle merveille...

[@charlesdavis7087]

Wonderful work. Somebody knows what they're doing!

[@charleslayton9463]

regarding comments/questions below as to why no concerts/recordings: From the basilica website (English version): "The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre is dedicated to the perpetual adoration of the Holy Sacrament, which has been on display day and night for over 125 years. As this is by nature a silent prayer, no concerts are held here. The liturgical aspects of Mass and Divine Offices are ensured by the Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre. As the Grand Organ of the Basilica is a Historical Monument, only tenured organists of the Basilica may access and play it. You may hear the organ being played at the 3 pm Mass on Friday and at the 11 am, 6 pm and 10 pm Masses and 4 pm Vespers on Sunday." For more information on the organ, including donating to its restoration, click this link which also takes you to a page of the Basilica website: www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/history-and-visit/article/the-grand-organ

[@chrishoffman.organist]

Does anyone know what Hymns were sung at the end of this?

[@MrsHgLamp]

Amanzing.

[@whcscomlat]

What Choral do they sing? It is beautiful.. :-)

[@tomws5594]

whcscomlat « C’est Toi qui nous appelles Seigneur Jesus »

[@mattbod]

I heard that this organ is hardly ever played and is in a poor state (Due to something about the church having to me mostly silent) I agree it should be restored. Is it not listed as of historical importance? The Catholic Church has the money to restore this especially in Paris. I mean Buckfast Abbey in Devon UK has just spent 4 million on a Ruffati organ.

[@gert.ronner]

Sacre-Cœur is financially a quite poor parish. The organ is also not valued by the sacristy as inevitable part of the liturgy. Due to the basilica being in use 24 hours a day, there is no room for the titular organist to perform recitals, make recordings, let alone practise! That's why Roth and Hakim left.

[@sutefuanu]

Et, by the way, il sonne plus "vrai" que Saint-Sulpice, depuis la dernière restauration.

[@ffc-i6n]

C'est un lion rentré un orgue de Michel ange aussi