Notes from the author:

OVER A DECADE AGO, I stumbled upon a world I did not know existed.¹ Having studied only an organ work or two of Charles Tournemire (1870-1939) in college, I felt intrigued by this peculiar music, but my curiosity had been sated for the moment, so I casually moved on. Then, some years later, I dusted off a few old scores of L’Orgue Mystique I had purchased second-hand back in those days. Upon giving several short noontime recitals incorporating a smattering of pieces from these volumes, I thought to inquire of another church whether there would be any interest in having a prelude to an Evensong with this music. The organist politely declined, saying, “I know you are working on this project, but we are not interested.” In fact, I had not realised I was working on a project, but as one who is inclined to contemplate and hearken to what is in one’s indwelling nature, I decided to delve further. Thus began a journey around the continent and across the Atlantic to understand the man Charles Tournemire and his magnum opus, L’Orgue Mystique —a journey which became a pilgrimage I could never have fathomed. The more I engaged in the work, the more it necessitated putting ideas to pen. From thence, a book evolved, and it became clear that Tournemire needed to be shared with the world. Sicut enim majus est illuminare quam lucere solum, ita majus est contemplata aliis tradere quam solum contemplari. (“Better to illuminate than merely to shine; to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely o contemplate.”)

Wayne Leupold Editions, 2025; 700+ pgs