 Tournemire thought the Catholic liturgy to be the most important aspect of his task as an organist. His improvisations during Mass therefore were based on the Gregorian melodies belonging to the particular (pre-Vatican II) Sunday's as printed in the Liber Usualis. It was Joseph Bonnet and Alexandre Guilmant, who, inspired by these improvisations incited Tournemire to compose this monumental liturgical cycle L'Orgure Mystique. It took Tournemire 5 years to complete this Magnus Opus (1927 to 1932). In it he merged the symphonic, impressionistic style of organ music with liturgy. Tjeerd van der Plorg (1958) studied under Piet Post, Jan Jongepier and Jacques van Oortmerssen. He completed his organ studies by obtaining the soloist diploma the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. He has published articles about the English composer Herbert Howells and the Spanish composer and theoretician Correa de Arauxo. The organ of St. Pierre in Douai was inaugurated in 1922. It was built by Charles Mutin, successor of Cavaille-Coll. The earlier organ, built in 1792 was destroyed by retreating German troops in 1918. Initially, the present instrument was intended to be placed in the concert hall of the Empirical Conservatory of Petersburg, but the outbreak of the First World War and the Russian Revolution prevented that. The instrument is a well preserved example of the French Symphonic organ. Only the Plein-jeu of the Recit is a new stop. Louis Vierne played the organ at its inauguration.
Audio Samples  Elevation, No. 3 Nativitas Domini Nostri Christi (Noel).Paraphrase-Carillon, No. 3 Nativitas Domini Nostri Christi (Noel).Elevation, No. 4 Dominica info octavam Nativitatis No. 3 Nativitas Domini Nostri Christi (Noel) Prelude a l Introit Offertoire Elevation Communion Piece terminale (Paraphrase) No. 4 Dominica info octavam Nativitatis Prelude a l Introit Offertoire Elevation Communion Piece terminale No. 6 Sanctissimi nominis Jesu Prelude a l Introit Offertoire Elevation Communion Piece terminale No. 7 Epiphania Domini Prelude a l Introit Offertoire Elevation Communion Piece terminale |
