Marcel Dupré

The Dupré Legend

The music literally bubbles over with imaginative ideas. French virtuoso and teacher Marcel Dupré created an incredible body of organ compositions during his more than 80 years. Though much of it is frequently performed and very popular, none of it was recorded until British recitalist Jeremy Filsell decided to climb the mountain. From audience charmers to works of powerful religious emotion, from simple teaching tools to the most complex of technical hurdles, these pieces represent one of the most important, and astonishing, sets of compositions from the 20th century.

He began brilliantly and built strength upon strength. In his lifetime, early 20th century French organist and composer Marcel Dupré, was simply the best. Englishman Jeremy Filsell talks about his CD cycle for the Guild Music label, and shows us what he and Dupré are made of, as we investigate The Dupré Legend this week on Pipedreams.

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

• April 30, 2001

Music played in the program

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Prelude & Fugue in B, Opus 7, number 1; Guild GMCD 7156

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Elevation, Opus 2; Guild GMCD 7180

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Fugue in g, Opus 7, number 3 –Marcel Dupré recorded in 1926 (1893 Henry Willis; 1923 Hill, Norman & Beard/Queen’s Hall, London, London, England, UK) EMI Classics CDC 55037

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Inventions, Opus 50, selections; Guild GMCD 7159

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Suite, Opus 39; Guild GMCD 7164

MARCEL DUPRÉ: 79 Chorales, Opus 28, number 68, Vom Himmel hoch; Number 41, In dulci jubilo; Number 52, Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier; Number 79, Wo soll ich fliehen hin; Number 40, In Dir ist Freude; Guild GMCD 7203

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Gregorian Preludes, Opus 45; Number 1, Salve Regina; Number 8, Verbum Supernum; Guild GMCD 7173

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Choral, Opus 57a –Marcel Dupré (1890 Cavaillé-Coll/Église Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France) Philips 446 648

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Vitrail, Opus 65; Souvenir, Opus 65bis; Guild GMCD 7162

MARCEL DUPRÉ: Poeme Héroïque, Opus 33; Guild GMCD 7188

Except where otherwise indicated, all performances were recorded by Jeremy Filsell on the 1979 Möller organ revised by Jonathan Ambrosino and Jeff Weiler in 1997 at St. Boniface Episcopal in Sarasota, FL. His 12-CD Dupré Cycle is available on the Guild label, distributed in the USA by Qualiton Imports.