OHS is very excited to offer this new, comprehensive set of 19 cds and 1 dvd from Solstice Recordings in Paris, chronicling the professional work of organist Pierre Cochereau, who served as Titular organist at Notre-Dame de Paris from 1955-1984.   

The set includes many recordings that have not been available previously, and includes a comprehensive list of composers:  Bach, Handel, Lebèque, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Vierne, Dupré, Franck, Tournemire, Widor, Messiaen, Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Corrette, Stradella, Vittoria, d'Haudimont, Jeremiah Clarke, and many of Cochereau's own compositions and improvisations. While many of the recordings are on the Notre-Dame organ in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, the set also includes other interesting instruments (Église Saint-Roch, St-André de Bordeaux, St. Thomas Church in New York City (1956), Sydney (Australia) Town Hall (1959), Boston Symphony Hall (1956), Cloître de monastère de Cimiez, Nice (1964), Cathédrale de St-Nazaire de Béziers (1969), Southern Methodist University (Dallas, 1966), St-Louis des Invalides (Paris, 1978), St-Séverin, Paris (1970), Cathédrale St-Etienne, Meaux (1970), St-Bénigne, Dijon (1978), and others. Includes several recordings with orchestras.

Includes a 70-page booklet with the complete play list, photos, commentary and personal interviews with Cochereau, all with English translations.

Summer 2020

A Review from Solstice Records:
Here we are not dealing with a simple repackaging of recordings previously released by Solstice even though a number of essential stages could not be missing from this chosen portrait. Above all, the music lover is invited to a complete reevaluation of the artist’s phonographic legacy: Pierre Cochereau, in all fidelity, henceforth escaping from the outsized but closed universe of his cathedral, without ceasing for an instant to be himself: the organist of Notre-Dame. Some seventy-four percent of the recordings are previously unreleased on disc and provide proof by music, repertoire and improvisation combined, that although Cochereau drew his manner and style most profoundly from Notre-Dame as much as from the continuity of a symphonist like Louis Vierne, his personality asserted itself elsewhere, in the unity of the musician and his own modernity. —Michel Roubinet

Disc 1
1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Fantasy and Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542
2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Triple Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552
3. Johann Sebastian Bach: Passacaille and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582
4. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2: I. Al tempo ordinario
5. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2: II. Allegro
6. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2: III. Adagio, Improvisation
7. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2: IV. Allegro
8. Yves de La Casinière: Concerto-improvisation (creation): I.
9. Yves de La Casinière: Concerto-improvisation (creation): II.
10. Yves de La Casinière: Concerto-improvisation (creation): III.

Disc 2
1. Nicolas Lebègue: Christmas “Où s’en vont ces gays bergers?”
2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Orgelbüchlein, “Jesu meine Freude,” BWV 610
3. Johann Sebastian Bach: Orgelbüchlein, “Gottes Sohn ist kommen,” BWV 600
4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Orgelbüchlein, “Das alte Jahr vergangen ist,” BWV 614
5. Johann Sebastian Bach: Orgelbüchlein, “Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich,” BWV 605
6. Johann Sebastian Bach: Orgelbüchlein, “Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott,” BWV 602
7. Johann Sebastian Bach: “Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g’mein,” BWV 734
8. Johann Sebastian Bach: Fugue in G Major “alla Gigue,” BWV 577
9. Johann Sebastian Bach: Leipzig Chorales, “Nun komm der Heiden Heiland,” BWV 659
10. Johann Sebastian Bach: “Aus tiefer Not schrei’ ich zu dir,” BWV 686
11. Antoine Calvière: Unique Piece in D Minor
12. Felix Mendelssohn: Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, Op. 37 No. 1
13. Franz Liszt: Fantasy and Fugue on the choral “Ad nos, ad salutarem undam,” S. 259

Disc 3
1. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 20: I. Allegro
2. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 20: II. Choral, Largo
3. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 20: III. Scherzo, Quasi assai
4. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 20: IV. Cantabile
5. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 20: V. Final, Maestoso
6. Marcel Dupré: Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23: I. Le monde dans l’attente du Sauveur
7. Marcel Dupré: Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23: II. Nativité
8. Marcel Dupré: Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23: III. Crucifixion
9. Marcel Dupré: Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23: IV. Résurrection

Disc 4
1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Passacaille and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582
2. César Franck: 3 Pieces: Fantasy in A Major, FWV 35
3. César Franck: 3 Pieces: Cantabile in B Major, FWV 36
4. César Franck: 3 Pieces: Pièce héroïque in B Minor, FWV 37
5. Charles Tournemire: Paraphrase-Carillon, Op. 57, No 35
6. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised triptych: I.
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised triptych: II.
8. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised triptych: III.

Disc 5
1. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: I.
2. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: II.
3. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: III.
4. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: IV.
5. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: I.
6. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: II.
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: III.
8. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: IV.
9. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: Themes
10. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: I.
11. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: II.
12. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: III.
13. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: IV.

Disc 6
1. Charles-Marie Widor: Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1: V. Toccata
2. Marcel Dupré: Suite Bretonne, Op. 21: II. Fileuse
3. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Mass Conclusion
4. Olivier Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur: IX. Dieu parmi nous
5. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Mass Conclusion
6. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: I.
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: II.
8. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: III.
9. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised symphony in 4 movements: IV. Andante

Disc 7
1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565
2. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 3 No. 6: I. Allegro
3. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 3 No. 6: II. Moderato
4. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 3 No. 6: III. Allegro
5. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto No. 34 in F Major: I. Allegro
6. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto No. 34 in F Major: II. Andante
7. Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto No. 34 in F Major: III. Allegro
8. Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in A Minor for Organ and Orchestra: I. Allegro
9. Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in A Minor for Organ and Orchestra: II. Larghetto
10. Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in A Minor for Organ and Orchestra: III. Allegro
11. Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78: Ia. Adagio, Allegro moderato
12. Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78: Ib. Poco Adagio
13. Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78: IIa. Allegro moderato, Presto, Allegro moderato
14. Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78: IIb. Maestoso - Più Allegro - Molto Allegro

Disc 8
1. César Franck: 3 Pieces: Pièce héroïque in B Minor, FWV 37
2. César Franck: 3 Pieces: Cantabile in B Major, FWV 36
3. César Franck: 3 Pieces: Fantasy in A Major, FWV 35
4. César Franck: Choral No. 2 in B Minor, FWV 39
5. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 3 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28: I. Allegro maestoso
6. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 3 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28: II. Cantilène
7. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 3 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28: III. Intermezzo
8. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 3 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28: IV. Adagio
9. Louis Vierne: Symphony No. 3 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28: I. Allegro maestoso
10. Louis Vierne: Pieces in free style (Book 2), Op. 31: IX. Carillon de Longpont

Disc 9
1. Michel Corrette: Concerto No. 3 in D Major: I. Allegro
2. Michel Corrette: Concerto No. 3 in D Major: II. Aria
3. Michel Corrette: Concerto No. 3 in D Major: III. Adagio
4. Michel Corrette: Concerto No. 3 in D Major: IV. Allegro
5. Pierre Cochereau: 12 Unissued Improvisations: IV. Gruissan
6. Pierre Cochereau: 12 Unissued Improvisations: VII. Arcachon
7. Pierre Cochereau: 12 Unissued Improvisations: XII. Juan-les-Pins
8. Alessandro Stradella: Sonata for Trumpet and Organ: I.
9. Alessandro Stradella: Sonata for Trumpet and Organ: II.
10. Alessandro Stradella: Sonata for Trumpet and Organ: III.–IV.
11. Mario Vittoria: Concerto for Organ, Timbales and String Orchestra: I. Allegro maestoso
12. Mario Vittoria: Concerto for Organ, Timbales and String Orchestra: II. Méditation
13. Mario Vittoria: Concerto for Organ, Timbales and String Orchestra: III. Finale
14. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised mass conclusion

Disc 10
1. Johann Sebastian Bach: “Aus tiefer Not schrei’ ich zu dir,” BWV 686
2. Joseph Meunier d’Haudimont: Prose of the Consecration (Jerusalem et Sion Filiæ)
3. Jeremiah Clarke: Trumpet Voluntary
4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Passacaille and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582
5. Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata for Organ No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526: I. Vivace
6. Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata for Organ No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526: II. Largo
7. Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata for Organ No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526: III. Allegro
8. Johann Sebastian Bach: Sinfonia of Cantata No. 29
9. Charles-Marie Widor: Symphony No. 9 in C Minor, Op. 70 “Gothic”: II. Andante sostenuto
10. Charles-Marie Widor Symphony No. 9 in C Minor, Op. 70 “Gothic”: I. Moderato
11. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Mass Conclusion

Disc 11
1. Roger Calmel: Concerto for Organ, String Orchestra and Percussions “Pax in nomine Domini” (création): I. Grave
2. Roger Calmel: Concerto for Organ, String Orchestra and Percussions “Pax in nomine Domini” (création): II. Toccata
3. Roger Calmel: Concerto for Organ, String Orchestra and Percussions “Pax in nomine Domini” (création): III. Choral “Pax in nomine Domini”
4. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony: Thèmes et I. Introduction
5. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony: II. Allegro, Adagio
6. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony: III. Scherzo
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony: IV. Andante
8. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony: V. Choral et Variations
9. Olivier Messiaen: Apparition de l’Église éternelle
10. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Conclusion on “la Marche des Rois”

Disc 12
1. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Variations on “O filii et filiæ”
2. Louis Vierne: 24 Fantasy Pieces for Organ (Suite II), Op. 53: V. Clair de lune
3. Léonce de Saint-Martin: Cantique Spirituel
4. Léonce de Saint-Martin: In Memoriam
5. Olivier Messiaen: Le Banquet céleste
6. Pierre Cochereau: Prelude and Improvised Variations on “Venez divin Messie”
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphonic Scherzo
8. Jean-Joseph Mouret: Fanfare pour les soupers du Roy

Disc 13
1. Gilles Julien: Suite du 3ème ton (extracts): Prélude
2. Gilles Julien: Suite du 3ème ton (extracts): Fugue
3. Gilles Julien: Suite du 3ème ton (extracts): Duo
4. Gilles Julien: Suite du 3ème ton (extracts): Trio pour l’Élévation
5. Gilles Julien: Suite du 3ème ton (extracts): Dialogue
6. François Couperin: Messe des paroisses (Kyrie): VI. Tierce en taille
7. François Couperin: Messe des paroisses (Kyrie): IX. Offertoire sur les grands jeux
8. Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Triple Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552
9. Tomaso Albinoni: Church Sonata in F Major: I.
10. Tomaso Albinoni: Church Sonata in F Major: II.
11. Tomaso Albinoni: Church Sonata in F Major: III.
12. Pierre Cochereau: Improvisation on a theme by Marcel Landowski
13. Pierre Cochereau: Improvisation on two themes

Disc 14
1. Franz Liszt: Fantasy and Fugue on the choral “Ad nos, ad salutarem undam”, S. 259: I. Fantasy
2. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: I. Introduction, Allegro
3. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: II. Scherzo
4. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: III. Andante
5. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: IV. Final
6. Pierre Cochereau: Boléro on a theme by Charles Racquet
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Conclusion on “Venez divin Messie”

Disc 15
1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto for Organ after Vivaldi in A Minor, BWV 593: I.
2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto for Organ after Vivaldi in A Minor, BWV 593: II.
3. Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto for Organ after Vivaldi in A Minor, BWV 593: III.
4. Georg Philipp Telemann: Concerto for Organ and Trumpet: I.
5. Georg Philipp Telemann: Concerto for Organ and Trumpet: II.
6. Georg Philipp Telemann: Concerto for Organ and Trumpet: III.
7. Georg Philipp Telemann: Concerto for Organ and Trumpet: IV.
8. Jehan Alain: Litanies, Op. 79
9. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of improvised dances: I. Marche 10. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of improvised dances: II. Sarabande
11. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of improvised dances: III. Musette
12. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of improvised dances: IV. Tambourin
13. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of improvised dances: V. Menuet
14. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of improvised dances: VI. Gigue
15. Jean Rivier: Aria for Trumpet and Organ
16. Pierre Cochereau: Scherzo, Adagio and Varied Choral improvised on “Adeste fideles”

Disc 16
1. Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timbales: Andante, Allegro giocoso
2. Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timbales: Andante moderato
3. Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Timbales: Tempo allegro, Molto agitato
4. Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Timbales: Très calme, Lent
5. Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timbales: Tempo de l’Allegro initial
6. Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Timbales: Tempo d’introduction, Largo
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: Themes
8. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: I.
9. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: II.
10. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: III.
11. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Symphony in 4 movements: IV.
12. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Prelude, Fugue and Variation

Disc 17
1. Pierre Cochereau: Improvisation on an original theme: Theme and I. Introduction
2. Pierre Cochereau: Improvisation on an original theme: II. Scherzo
3. Pierre Cochereau: Improvisation on an original theme: III. Andante
4. Pierre Cochereau: Improvisation on an original theme: IV. Variations
5. Pierre Cochereau: Improvisation on an original theme: V. Final
6. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Introduction, Choral and Variations: Theme and I. Introduction
7. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Introduction, Choral and Variations: Choral
8. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Introduction, Choral and Variations: Variations
9. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Prelude, Adagio and Varied Choral on “Haec dies” and “Victimae Paschali”: Prelude
10. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Prelude, Adagio and Varied Choral on “Haec dies” and “Victimae Paschali”: Adagio
11. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised Prelude, Adagio and Varied Choral on “Haec dies” and “Victimae Paschali”: Varied Choral

Disc 18
1. Henry Purcell: Sonata for Organ and Trumpet in D Major: I. Allegro
2. Henry Purcell: Sonata for Organ and Trumpet in D Major: II. Adagio
3. Henry Purcell: Sonata for Organ and Trumpet in D Major: III. Allegro
4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Orgelbüchlein, “O Mensch bewein dein Sünde gross,” BWV 622
5. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of 6 improvised verses: I. La Vierge
6. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of 6 improvised verses: II. Les Anges
7. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of 6 improvised verses: III. Les Apôtres
8. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of 6 improvised verses: IV. Les Martyrs
9. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of 6 improvised verses: V. Les Saintes Femmes
10. Pierre Cochereau: Suite of 6 improvised verses: VI. Louange finale
11. Georges Delerue: Recital and Choral for Organ and Trumpet
12. Pierre Cochereau: Improvised postlude

Disc 19
1. Radio interview with Jacques Chancel
2. Johann Sebastian Bach “Final Choral from St Matthew Passion”