Gaston Litaize (Grandes orgues de l’Église Saint-François-Xavier, Paris)

Vierne, L: Pièces de fantaisie, 1st suite, Op. 51
Vierne, L: Ballade, Op. 52
Vierne, L: Pièces de fantaisie, 2nd suite, Op. 53
Vierne, L: Pièces de fantaisie, 3rd suite, Op. 54
Vierne, L: Pièces en style libre, Op. 31
Vierne, L: Stele pour un enfant defunt

The work of Louis Vierne, organist at Notre-Dame de Paris and master of the symphonic instrument, is reflected here in all its rich variety: from the poetic Pièces en style libre – in previously unissued recordings appearing here for the very first time – to his final masterpiece, the monumental Sixth Symphony, via the virtuosic and world-famous Pièces de fantaisie. All are performed here on the little-recorded instrument of the Parisian church of Saint-François-Xavier by its organist Gaston Litaize, who studied with Vierne and went on to become a prolific composer himself. The recordings have been remastered in 24-bit/192kHz sound from the original tapes.