The Art of Improvisation

Beyond his nonpareil virtuosity, Marcel Dupré, one of the greatest organists of the 20th century,
was also a master improviser. Because he flourished in the earlier part of the century, most of
these improvisations are lost. Towards the end of his life, he was afflicted with crippling arthritis
which made playing exceedingly difficult. Consider this improvisation, made at the age of 79,
which is a double fugue based on the Gregorian chant melody 'Regina Coeli.' As is the practice
in such affairs, the music he has on the stand is that chant melody and nothing else.

YouTube

In France, this practice of improvising based on submitted themes is one of the responsibilities
expected of the major organists' positions (Notre Dame, Chartres, St Sulpice, St Eustache, &c).
Dupré, who was the titular organist at St Sulpice for many decades, by any standard or tastes,
was among the best such improvisators of all time even if one's tastes lean toward the less
pedagogical.

Any comments?

Nemesio

Originally posted by Nemesio
Beyond his nonpareil virtuosity, Marcel Dupré, one of the greatest organists of the 20th century,
was also a master improviser. Because he flourished in the earlier part of the century, most of
these improvisations are lost. Towards the end of his life, he was afflicted with crippling arthritis
which made playing exceedingly difficult. Consider this i l time even if one's tastes lean toward the less
pedagogical.

Any comments?

Nemesio

I want to give a listen, but am at work now, not that I couldn't listen, just crappy speakers🙂 BTW, how is the thesis coming?
Did you see my post on Smetana? Wondered where he stands in the world of composers?

Originally posted by sonhouse
BTW, how is the thesis coming?

Ahem. No comment 🙁

Did you see my post on Smetana? Wondered where he stands in the world of composers?

I'll have to profess a significant ignorance of Smetana. Except for the famous 'Moldau' and
a string quartet, I don't know any of his music.

I'm not very helpful, I'm afraid. My next series of downloads will be Fauré's chamber music,
I think.

Nemesio