Cochereau was a great symphonist, and it is well known that a symphony was often his preferred musical form for extended improvisations in concert and yet, despite the fact that his recorded legacy is huge, this particular form is singularly underrepresented on the many albums of his improvisations available previously. Up to now his discography has not included an extended work comparable in scale to a symphony by, for example, Vierne. The present album supplies that deficiency by presenting two extended symphonies from what might be considered Cochereau's greatest period at Notre-Dame. Performed by Cochereau himself in August and September 1978. Symphonie Improvisée (in five movements) Thèmes, puis Introduction Allegro Scherzando Andante et fugue Final

Notre Dame de Paris, 1978