1950 Holtkamp organ at Crouse College, Syracuse, New York, New York

1887 Henry Willis organ at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro, England, UK

1926 Henry Willis and Sons organ at the Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool, England, UK

1890 Cavaillé-Coll organ at the Church of Saint Ouen, Rouen, France

Alexandre the Great

Before the age of intercontinental air travel, he travelled thousands of miles touring the world as a virtuoso recitalist. The friendly and fatherly Alexander Guilmant also taught at the Paris Conservatory and, along with his compatriots Franck and Widor, revolutionized the art of the organ in 19th century France. Guilmant’s repertoire covered four centuries, and his own compositions number in the hundreds, embracing equally sweet sentiment, intimate charm, and the glory and passion that only organ music can deliver.

We’ll offer you a taste of the best, from Pastorales to Caprices, Marches to Madrigals, Sonatas to Symphonies. With an international reputation and an exceptional repertoire, Alexander Guilmant ranks high on the list of famous French organists, and you’ll know why when you listen to his music. It’s Alexandre the Great, this week on Pipedreams.

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

• March 5, 2001

Music played in the program

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Entrée, from Sonata Number 7 in F, Opus 89 –David Briggs (1887 Henry Willis/Truro Cathedral, England, UK) Motette CD MOT 11541

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Noël Ecossais, Opus 60 –Marek Toporowski (1883 Henry Willis/Dominican Priory, London, England, UK) Musicon CD-010

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Caprice in B-flat –John West (1987 Rodgers/Glenkirk Presbyterian, Glendora, CA) PowerHouse Productions CD-1001

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Grand Choeur, from Sonata Number 7, Opus 89 –Ben van Oosten (1890 Cavaillé-Coll/Église Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France) Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG 316 0340/42

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Madrigal in E-flat, Opus 52 –Helge Schulz (1864 Ladegast/St. Mary Church, Weissenfels, Germany) Motette CD MOT 11571

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Morceau symphonique –Alain Trudel, tb; Patrick Wedd (1901 Casavant Frères; 1954 Casavant Frères; 1986 Guilbault-Therien/Église du Gesu, Montréal, Québec, Canada) Naxos 8.553716

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Marche Funebre et Chant Séraphique –Will Headlee (1950 Holtkamp/Setnor Auditorium, Crouse College, Syracuse, NY) Raven OAR-440

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Pastorale in A, Opus 26 –Ursula Hauser (1897 Kuhn/Church of Saint Johann, Schaffhausen, Switzerland) Pan Classics CD-510049

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Symphony Number 2 in A for Organ and Orchestra, Opus 91, movements 3, 2 & 1 –BBC Philharmonic, Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor; Ian Tracey (1926 Henry Willis & Sons/Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool, England, UK) Chandos CD-9785