Search - Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel :: Maurice & Marie-Madeleine Chevalier Duruflé

A must have for any lover of organ music

John Prothero | Garden Grove, CA United States | 09/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This landmark recording features the husband and wife team of French organists Maurice Durufle and his wife Madeline Durufle-Chevalier. Recorded on the Moller organs in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in 1967, it is important in the fact that Maurice Durufle was one of the leading French composers of the mid 20th century, and his wife one of the leading organists. Originally released on vinyl in the late 60's, it has been remastered for CD, with expanded notes. Granted, the notes are for those who know music - for casual listeners, it is over their heads. But the assumption is that this is a collector's CD. There is a delicious assortment of baroque music on the first tracks, highlighting the Moller classic registration. But the best tracks are the firey French pieces played by Mdme. Durufle. She plays the Choral Improvisation on Victimae Paschali Laudes by Tournemiere, which was actually an improvisation that Msr. Durufle transcribed from a 78 rpm recording. She then finishes the album with her husband's important work, Prelue and Fugue on the name Alain. Her interpretation can only be considered the definitive. As far as the technical aspect of the CD, the recording is very clear for an AAD remastering of the original analog tapes. The clarity of the organ is almost as good as what Telarc does for organ recordings. But the spaciousness of the organ is captured very well. You FEEL like you're in the basilica. I loved this album as a young organist, and now am very pleased to find it in CD form as an adult...."

Organ Duo at Their Best!

DON W MCCLURE | USA | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Premiere recording at the M.P. Moller organs of the Shrine of the Immaculate Concepcion, Washington, D.C. This tracks were originally recorded in 1967; this re-release reaches another generation of organists who have not yet heard the artistry of this Husband-Wife couple who both taught at the Paris Conservertoire. Unfortunately, Mr. Durufle died in 1986, and according to my information, Mme. Durufle died late in 1999. The world will miss them both. Enjoy this fine showcase for their artistry, the church itself, and the two organs in fine acoustics! Mme. Durufle is especially dynamic in her interpretation of the Prelude and Fugue on the name 'Alain', written by her husband; Jehan Alain was a classmate of Mr. Durufle's in the 1920s, and the work is written in his memory."