My wife was about to sing Vierne’s Messe solennelle with her new choir; hence the purchase of this CD. The disc has in fact given us both a great deal of pleasure, even though its purchase would perhaps have been unlikely had she not been about to perform the Mass, the best and most substantial work on the disc.
The three composers featured here are today best known for their organ works; indeed, between them Widor and Dupré held the post of organist at the church of Saint Sulpice for a span of 101 years, while Vierne served as assistant to Widor.
I do not really think that any of the pieces here are masterpieces, but they are undeniably effective and tuneful. Vierne’s Mass in particular is well worth discovering; I know that my wife enjoyed singing it! I cannot imagine them being more persuasively performed than they are here by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral under their Master of Music James O’Donnell.
As ever with Hyperion, the recording (made in Westminster Cathedral in 1996) and booklet are immaculate, while the latter is graced by a lovely painting of Notre Dame, where many of these works were performed.
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