Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937) Louis Victor Jules Vierne was a renowned French organist and composer. He was born October 8, 1870 in Poitiers and died June 2, 1937 in Paris. Vierne was considered one of the greatest musical improvisers of his generation. His few improvisations that were preserved on early phonograph recordings sound like finished, polished compositions.
He had an elegant, clean style of writing that respected form above all else. His harmonic language was romantically rich, but not as sentimental or theatrical as that of his early mentor César Franck. Of all the great fin de siècle French organists, Vierne's music was perhaps the most idiomatic for his chosen instrument and has inspired most of the great Parisian organist-composers who followed him.
His output for organ includes six symphonies, '24 Fantasy Pieces' (which includes his famous 'Carillon de Westminster'), and '24 Pieces In Free Style,' among other works. There are also several chamber works (sonatas for violin and cello, a piano quintet and a string quartet for example), vocal and choral music, and a symphony in A minor for orchestra. (Hide extended text)...(Read all) Source : Wikipedia
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