Pierre Cochereau (organ)
The Album of the Centenary
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Choral, BWV 686 “Aus tiefer Not schrei’ ich zu dir”
Pierre Cochereau (1924-1984)
Improvisation on the Christmas Carol “Laissez paître vos bêtes”
Rhapsodic Suite on “Ave Maris Stella”
Variations on “Frère Jacques”
rec. live, 1970-1984, Notre Dame, Paris
Solstice SOCD409 [76]
Solstice have long championed the work of French organist Pierre Cochereau (1924-1984), and this year marks a double anniversary, the centenary of his birth and the 40th anniversary of his death. The label have released several fine volumes of the organist’s recordings over the past few years. Cochereau’s discographical legacy, with some rare exceptions, was recorded in Notre Dame, Paris, whilst he was organist there from 1955 until 1984.
“A phenomenon without equal in the history of the contemporary organ”. This was how Marcel Dupré once described his student, Pierre Cochereau. He was born 9 July 1924 in Saint-Mandé, in the eastern suburbs of Paris. He arrived at the organ in a roundabout way, initially via the violin, then the piano as a student of Marius-François Gaillard and Marguerite Long. It was Marie-Louise Girod, a pupil of Dupré, who introduced him to the pipe organ. After a year of law studies, he switched to music and enrolled at the Paris Conservatoire, where his teachers were Maurice Duruflé, Noël Gallon, Tony Aubin and Marcel Dupré. From 1949 until 1956 he was director of the Le Mans Conservatory. In 1955 he became titular organist of Notre Dame. 1961 saw him assume the role of director of the Nice Conservatory, which he relinquished in 1979 to take on a similar position at Lyon Conservatory. He travelled five continents throughout his career, gaining a reputation not just as a performer but also as a skilled improviser. He was also a composer of organ, chamber and vocal works. Sadly, he died prematurely in 1984 aged only fifty-nine.
The producers of this tribute disc, Yvette and François Carbou, listened to hours of Cochereau’s recordings before settling on this selection, which displays “a programme of eloquent diversity, forms and atmospheres”. The bold and noble Bach Chorale “Aus tiefer Not schrei’ ich zu dir” BWV 686 opens proceedings. It was a piece close to the organist’s heart; he performed it several times and made a commercial recording in 1959. This live airing dates from February 1970.
Cochereau was a renowned improviser, and his reputation as a composer lies to a large extent in this genre. His improvisations served to conclude recitals and services at Notre Dame. With him, the practice of improvising during services became an established art form. A glowing example is the Improvisation on the Christmas Carol “Laissez paître vos bêtes”, which concluded the midnight mass on 24 December 1882. It opens majestically and at full throttle. Interspersed are moments of more quiet reflection. Although maintaining a triumphant stance throughout most of its course, it closes in a mien of serene luminosity. Cochereau paints this vivid canvas with a spectacular range of colourful sonorities.
The most substantial work here is the Rhapsodic Suite on “Ave Maris Stella”, taped 15 August 1982. The plainchant theme is played with spectral radiance. This is followed by five interlinked sections, taking the listener on “a grandiose journey of symphonic proportions”. Great energy, flair and imagination are invested in this granite-like structure. The transformed theme ends the work in a blaze of magnificent glory. The audience show their appreciation with rapturous applause.
The performance of the Variations on “Frère Jacques” derives from a private performance given in Notre Dame in 1972 for the Minister of Cultural affairs Jacques Duhamel. This popular 18th Century children’s song undergoes several “sumptuously contrasted” transformations, guaranteed to titillate, thrill and saturate the senses with gorgeous colour and vivid images.
The disc ends with Cochereau’s final performance, given two days before his untimely death from a ruptured aneurysm. It is Sunday Mass 4 March 1984. The four sections are titled Entrée, grand and majestic, Offertoire, swathed in glowing radiance, Communion, reverent and virtuous and Sortie, strikingly coruscating.
These live recordings have been expertly refurbished by Christophe Hénault of Studio Art & Son, Annecy and, I have to say, they’ve yielded spectacular results. Documentation, as always with this label, is substantial, providing welcome background and context. All in all, this is a very worthy tribute to a fine musician.
Stephen Greenbank
Availability: Solstice Music
