Famous Organists: Dieterich Buxtehude
Allegorie auf die Freundschaft by Johannes Voorhout Famous Organists: Dieterich Buxtehude Welcome back to the Viscount Organs blog series where we look into the lives and legacies of amazing pipe organists who have influenced the culture of pipe organ music. Today, we’ll be travelling back to the amazing Baroque period to take a look at […]
Famous Organists: Louis Vierne
Famous Organists: Louis Vierne This edition of our Famous Organists blog series is going to take a look at the life, interesting death, and influence of Louis Vierne, titulaire, or lead organist, at the Notre Dame Cathedral from 1900-1937. A Determined Youth Vierne was born into challenges on October 8, 1870, in Poitiers, France. Upon […]
Famous Organists: Jehan Alain
Famous Organists: Jehan Alain Jehan Alain is the focus of this Famous Organists blog. Although his life wasn’t long, he achieved many a musical accomplishment, and died a heroic death in World War II. Keep reading to learn more! A Family of Organists Born into the Alain family on February 11, 1911, Jehan Alain was […]
The Life of Pierre Cochereau: A Legendary French Organist
Pierre Cochereau | orgues-chartres.org Pierre Cochereau transformed 20th-century organ music with his exceptional improvisational skills and influential tenure at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He captivated audiences with his spontaneous compositions, blending classical tradition with bold innovation. His groundbreaking techniques and imaginative interpretations redefined organ performance, setting a new standard for musicians around the world. […]
Famous Organists: César Franck
César Franck | Painting by Jeanne Rongier The Life and Legacy of César Franck, Master of Sacred Sound Our next feature in the Famous Organists of History series highlights César Franck, a Belgian-born organist and composer whose remarkable journey shaped organ music forever. Franck’s talent, discipline, and innovation produced masterpieces that remain central to organist […]
Pulling Out All Of The Stops
When someone says they’re “pulling out all the stops,” it means they’re giving everything they have, no holding back, no reserves. But this vivid phrase didn’t start in sports, business, or casual conversation. Its roots lie in the world of music, specifically in the grand tradition of the pipe organ. What Does “Pulling Out All […]
The World’s Oldest Playable Church Organ
Sthullen | CC BY-SA 3.0 Church organs have enriched worship services for centuries, filling sacred spaces with powerful and inspiring music. However, few people realize that the oldest playable church organ still in use today dates back to the 15th century. Nestled in the picturesque town of Sion, Switzerland, the organ at Valère Basilica holds […]
Famous Organists: Charles-Marie Widor
The church organ has a long and storied history, going back for hundreds of years. During that time, countless accomplished musicians have sat at the bench and played stirring music of all kinds for innumerable audiences. But during the tenure of this King of Instruments, there have been some musicians that have stood out as […]
Organ at the Frontlines: The Enduring Legacy of Music in Wartime
When we think about the music of the Second World War, images of big band jazz, ragtime, and military marches often come to mind. Glenn Miller’s “American Patrol” practically plays in the background when imagining life for WWII service members. But for many soldiers and sailors, music was not a daily luxury. Often, the only […]
Overcoming Your Nerves Before Performance
Right before you go on stage, you are probably going through what you will do once you are finally in front of everyone. Hopefully, you are imagining things going well! We know that there can be a lot of pressure when playing the church organ in front of a large group, especially if there are […]