I am one of the countless organists worldwide who regularly play the Suite, and wish to heartily congratulate ALL who are involved here - the excellent orchestra, insightful conductor and gifted orchestrator! The line of organ composers who seem to (at least initially) hear their music as written for instruments *other* than the organ is long, and Duruflé can certainly be counted among them. This is simply glorious. Bravi Tutti!
You got that right... it was spectacular... I played the complete Durufle organ works about 12 years back... they really are some of the BEST works written for the instrument... BUT the Suite... is like The "Gaspard de la Nuit" for organ (which I've also played... on the piano... that is...)
Amazing! He has not just "orchestrated" an organ work, but transformed it into an orchestral work while still being as true to the original as is possible. In some spots I think he has improved on it with all the extra colours and textures (and fingers!) available.
As a former cathedral chorister at Ely, we used to routinely process out to this music, played on probably one of the finest Harrison & Harrison organs ever built. This orchestration takes the music to a whole new level. Stunning.
An outstanding approach to this great Suite. Colours and vivacity, melody and wit abound. I will always love the organ original but this is happy revelation uncovering previously (by me) unnoticed facets and joys. Thanks. Also beautifully realised by excellent musicians.
this sounds so amazingly close to the Three Dances for Orchestra Op 6 and the Andante & Scherzo Op 8 i would have assumed this was orchestrated by Durufle himself
As someone who has done a fair bit of orchestrating myself from piano and organ works, I would give anything just to have a look at this score! Some of the effects you achieve with the instruments are astounding.
Astonishing. You captured the character of the original, with appropriate nods to Dukas, Ravel, and Duruflé's own works. I look forward to purchasing the score when it becomes available.
Unquestionably brilliant! I find this to be every bit the equal of Ravel's orchestration of Pictures at an Exhibition. The last two minutes of the Toccata remind me of the conclusion of Respighi's Feste Romane. Bravo, bravo!
The Sicilliène particularly is amazingly orchestrated! If I didn't already play these on the organ, I wouldn't have registered them as anything other than orchestral pieces. Loving the muted brass and horn/cello solos, too!
Special shouts-out for the most wonderful orchestration of first movt, final section, where the organ version seems to ramble a bit; and second movt, recapitulation, which brilliantly fuses what Duruflé does with what the music needs to do TBH.
This is indescribably brillant. I’ve loved this great organ work for many years, and your orchestrated version is a revelation. It should enter the repertoire quickly. Bravo!
This was one of those pieces I always wanted to hear in an orchestral version! Fantastically done, and with an amazing taste for orchestral colors. Well done, thank you!
To me, the part starting at 6:03 is reminiscent of Ravel (specifically parts of Ma Mère L’Oye or La Vallée des Cloches)... and hearing it orchestrated has only further convinced me! Amazing transcription!
Additionally, 12:53 makes me think of Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter, when the strings are playing their very warbly arabesque under the theme (that which is very similar to Fauré’s Sicilienne from Pelléas et Mélisande.)
I absolutely LOVE this! Is there a link to the audio with the full dynamic range though? It’s spectacular and would love to hear it without the dynamic compression!
Chapeau !!! Superbe orchestration de cette pièce pour orgue !!!!!!!!! J'en suis tout retourné ! Je vais de ce pas réécouter l'œuvre pour orgue ! Merci cher maître !!!!
It is more than just interesting to examine this absolutely appealing orchestration against Duruflé's orchestration of his Andante et Scherzo op.8 and his Trois Danses op.6, both for large orchestra, and his own orchestration for small orchestra of the middle part of the suite op.5 for organ. This can undoubtedly lead to revisions in certain places in the score of the orchestration by Mr De Boer, which has been thought out in itself. Παρνασσός is within (your) reach dear Maestro!
Simply gorgeous! Bravi to Mr. de Boer and all others who participated in this performance. Is this work turning up on symphony programs around the world? It should!
Simply exhilarating! A masterpiece of transcription! I first heard the toccata of this piece played on the organ at the end of a BBC 1970's Kings Festival of nine lessons and carols, and had to buy the score (the Durand edition) just for the joy of following a vinyl pressing I bought. (BTW, I can't play it!) One interesting question: in the organ score, at 18:45, Duruflé marks the Animato section to alternate with different voices on the two manuels, but you scored both for the trumpets. Just wondered why?
Thank you so much! As for your question: to me the alternating left hand/right hand, one octave apart, is typical keyboard writing, which wouldn't necessarily work so well in the orchestra. So instead of a more literal transcription, I decided to keep the chromatic parallel chords together in the same octave, in the trumpets and other brass, and render the "virtuoso" character by adding upward moving figures in the strings and woodwinds, so as to create this whirling effect one also gets from the organ version.
This a brilliant transcription! It captures the essence of the piece. Now I wish for "Transports de joie" to be transcribed for orchestra. I dislike Messiaen's own third movement to the Ascension Suite. Tdj says it all!
This is amazing... By the end of my first listen it had already become my preferred version, which says a lot as this piece has been close to my heart for over a decade. The colors are exquisite, probably my favorite orchestral use of the saxophone of anyone since Ravel, the second movement almost made me cry, and the toccata had me on the edge of my seat (it WAS my least favorite movement, now I love it). It's funny, the first movement sounds a lot like Saturn from The Planets now that it's orchestrated, although I like this way better. I really hope a recording of this orchestration is released commercially so I can listen on walks. Have you considered orchestrating any other Duruflé?
maybe the one thing i would change (and might, ive personally considered doing my own orchestral arrangement and possibly piano arrangement of the suite for several years) would be putting the organ back in the work, although in a limited supporting capacity, with some solos scattered. i would CERTAINLY open the Toccata with organ solo up to the 14:30 point......just my personal opinion :)
Interesting point! Although my project was precisely to translate the organ into the orchestra, without some of it actually remaining there. I wanted to get this music out of the organ "niche", and also not have its performance depend on the presence of an organ in the hall.
@@PieterJelledeBoer well you certainly achieved that! Another interesting i just thought of would be arranging the Andante from Op. 8 for organ, so that the entire work could be for organ (after all this is what Durufle did with the Scherzo Op. 2 and attached it to the Andante)
@@Doug19752533 I know the Trois Danses have been arranged for organ (by at least two different organists), but having the Andante as a prelude to the Scherzo would be a great idea as well. But first and foremost, the whole op. 8 deserves to be on orchestra programmes much more often, it is such beautiful music!
Superb! I love the saxophone in the first movement and think Duruflé would have approved. I've thought about orchestrating this work for a while, but didn't know how to address the copyright restriction. I'm curious to know how you were able to pull it off. That all being said, I highly doubt I could have done a better job. The toccata is so idiomatic to the keyboard (much like Ravel's) and nearly impossible to orchestrate, but your ideas are quite imaginative. Is this transcription published? It should be.
Thanks for your comment! I took the idea for the saxophone from Duruflé's own Trois Danses where the instrument plays an important role. When I had the idea for the orchestration, I was able to present it directly to Durand, who approved and published it consequently.
You say “some liberties taken” as if it was a bad thing. It's a good thing, and a necessity. In fact, I find that quite a few passages are too close to the original organ texture and would benefit from reimagining them more freely as orchestral textures.
Did you know Vierne himself orchestrated three movements of his first three symphonies for organ and orchestra ? It's hardly ever played but it's beautiful, especially the Adagio from the 3rd.
@@PieterJelledeBoer No, I didn't know that. You just blew my mind again. Are there recordings in existence? In case I didn't state it clear enough: Your orchestration absolutely rocks. I really enjoyed it and rarely heard any transcription for orchestra that is artistically quite as successful as yours. I love how clear and transparent the harmonies are in the Toccata, just to pick one example.
@@maniak1768 Thank you so much! There are very few recordings of the Vierne orchestrations, but there is one by Dutch organist Christine Kamp for Festivo. The three movements are grouped together as "Pièce symphonique". You can order them as a download directly from the label's website.
Obviously not, since the piece is copyrighted. The orchestrator commented above that the orchestration was published by Durand, though. Don't know what that means exactly.
Dat geldt voor mij met name in de Sicilienne, waar Ravel nadrukkelijk om de hoek komt kijken, en in de schittering en de instrumentale rijkdom van de Toccata. De sonoriteit van de Prélude vind ik echter in de orgelklank onovertrefbaar.
A huge improvement on the original. The question remains: why didn't Durufle orchestrate this? His opus 6 shows his ability in that direction. It IS orchestral music: the organ version is a mistake...no wonder he couldn't make the Toccata work satisfactorily.
Thank you! Even though I wouldn't go as far as calling the organ version a mistake, it is marvellous in itself. Duruflé did arrange the Sicilienne for chamber orchestra. And even if the writing in the toccata is pure keyboard technique, the music itself is indeed on a symphonic scale.
A colorful and imaginative re-interpretation of Durufle's score. As one who regularly plays the original, I missed the richness and fire that the "jeux d'anches" of the organ provide. And it also lacked the elegance of Durufle's own "Trois Danses" - parts of it almost suggested Danses Macabres.
I am one of the countless organists worldwide who regularly play the Suite, and wish to heartily congratulate ALL who are involved here - the excellent orchestra, insightful conductor and gifted orchestrator! The line of organ composers who seem to (at least initially) hear their music as written for instruments *other* than the organ is long, and Duruflé can certainly be counted among them. This is simply glorious. Bravi Tutti!
You got that right... it was spectacular... I played the complete Durufle organ works about 12 years back... they really are some of the BEST works written for the instrument... BUT the Suite... is like The "Gaspard de la Nuit" for organ (which I've also played... on the piano... that is...)
Thank you, may God bless you
Wow. WOW! I had no idea this beloved work had all "THIS" hiding inside it! Absolutely spectacular orchestration.
Amazing! He has not just "orchestrated" an organ work, but transformed it into an orchestral work while still being as true to the original as is possible. In some spots I think he has improved on it with all the extra colours and textures (and fingers!) available.
As a former cathedral chorister at Ely, we used to routinely process out to this music, played on probably one of the finest Harrison & Harrison organs ever built. This orchestration takes the music to a whole new level. Stunning.
Bravo to all concerned! You've put Durufle yet more clearly into the context of his era.
This is just such an immense accomplishment! Absolutely fantastic.
An outstanding approach to this great Suite. Colours and vivacity, melody and wit abound. I will always love the organ original but this is happy revelation uncovering previously (by me) unnoticed facets and joys. Thanks. Also beautifully realised by excellent musicians.
I think this is now my favourite orchestra arrangement of an organ piece... absolutely amazing work!
this sounds so amazingly close to the Three Dances for Orchestra Op 6 and the Andante & Scherzo Op 8 i would have assumed this was orchestrated by Durufle himself
My God, this is THRILLING!!!
I really, really didn't think this would work - but it DOES!!!!
Wauw, this is amazing. The suite is so infinitely more beautiful then when played in the organ.
Superb work - this has made my day. Studio recording asap, please!
This is just sublime. Phenomenal.
As someone who has done a fair bit of orchestrating myself from piano and organ works, I would give anything just to have a look at this score! Some of the effects you achieve with the instruments are astounding.
Astonishing. You captured the character of the original, with appropriate nods to Dukas, Ravel, and Duruflé's own works. I look forward to purchasing the score when it becomes available.
I love this work!! Exciting to hear it orchestrated!! 😀 Bravo !! Please publish the orchestration!! I'm a conductor.
Didn’t think I would ever hear this work orchestrated. It’s a wonderful success. Bravo!
Unquestionably brilliant! I find this to be every bit the equal of Ravel's orchestration of Pictures at an Exhibition. The last two minutes of the Toccata remind me of the conclusion of Respighi's Feste Romane. Bravo, bravo!
The Sicilliène particularly is amazingly orchestrated! If I didn't already play these on the organ, I wouldn't have registered them as anything other than orchestral pieces. Loving the muted brass and horn/cello solos, too!
Goodness! Whole swathes of this are as gorgeous as Ravel in both music and orchestration.
Special shouts-out for the most wonderful orchestration of first movt, final section, where the organ version seems to ramble a bit; and second movt, recapitulation, which brilliantly fuses what Duruflé does with what the music needs to do TBH.
This is indescribably brillant. I’ve loved this great organ work for many years, and your orchestrated version is a revelation. It should enter the repertoire quickly. Bravo!
Stunning….. and even can help for the thinking of interpretation on organ
C'est rarissime de trouver aujourd'hui un orchestrateur du niveau de celui de Maurice Ravel !
Without words...
Bravo pour cette belle orchestration. On sent bien la filiation avec Dukas, notamment celui de la Péri.
Remarkabale! Just discovered toady. Thank you.
Spine-tingling. I have dreamed of this Suite being orchestrated! Utterly beautiful! Thank you!
This was one of those pieces I always wanted to hear in an orchestral version! Fantastically done, and with an amazing taste for orchestral colors. Well done, thank you!
Bravo ! orchestré avec métier, cette version embellit vraiment l'original
Fantastic!!!!
What a good idea ! Absolutely merveillous !
To me, the part starting at 6:03 is reminiscent of Ravel (specifically parts of Ma Mère L’Oye or La Vallée des Cloches)... and hearing it orchestrated has only further convinced me! Amazing transcription!
Additionally, 12:53 makes me think of Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter, when the strings are playing their very warbly arabesque under the theme (that which is very similar to Fauré’s Sicilienne from Pelléas et Mélisande.)
@@collincrowl6377 It would just need a celesta and about twice as many notes in the violins. :-)
Werkelijk fantastisch georkestreerd Pieter-Jelle!! Chapeau chapeau!!!!
This is really excellent!
I absolutely LOVE this! Is there a link to the audio with the full dynamic range though? It’s spectacular and would love to hear it without the dynamic compression!
Chapeau !!! Superbe orchestration de cette pièce pour orgue !!!!!!!!! J'en suis tout retourné ! Je vais de ce pas réécouter l'œuvre pour orgue ! Merci cher maître !!!!
It is more than just interesting to examine this absolutely appealing orchestration against Duruflé's orchestration of his Andante et Scherzo op.8 and his Trois Danses op.6, both for large orchestra, and his own orchestration for small orchestra of the middle part of the suite op.5 for organ. This can undoubtedly lead to revisions in certain places in the score of the orchestration by Mr De Boer, which has been thought out in itself. Παρνασσός is within (your) reach dear Maestro!
Simply gorgeous! Bravi to Mr. de Boer and all others who participated in this performance. Is this work turning up on symphony programs around the world? It should!
What a stunning orchestration. Truly magnificent. Thank you!
Simply exhilarating! A masterpiece of transcription! I first heard the toccata of this piece played on the organ at the end of a BBC 1970's Kings Festival of nine lessons and carols, and had to buy the score (the Durand edition) just for the joy of following a vinyl pressing I bought. (BTW, I can't play it!)
One interesting question: in the organ score, at 18:45, Duruflé marks the Animato section to alternate with different voices on the two manuels, but you scored both for the trumpets. Just wondered why?
Thank you so much! As for your question: to me the alternating left hand/right hand, one octave apart, is typical keyboard writing, which wouldn't necessarily work so well in the orchestra. So instead of a more literal transcription, I decided to keep the chromatic parallel chords together in the same octave, in the trumpets and other brass, and render the "virtuoso" character by adding upward moving figures in the strings and woodwinds, so as to create this whirling effect one also gets from the organ version.
Goodness, I know the organ work very well. Listening to this orchestration brings out all sorts of Debussy and Ravel textures.
Een hele mooie vertaling van het orgelwerk. Precies zoals de orkestratie zou moeten. Prachtig.
Beautiful work - much congratulations for this gem of an orchestration.
Gran bel lavoro!!
This is simply stunning! Thanks so much for posting this performance!
Amazing! Gives the piece a brilliant extra dimension.
This is wonderful. Well done!
Wonderful job! Well done and thank you.
Quelle maîtrise ! Du Ravel !!!
Quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Stavanger levererar! Tack!
This a brilliant transcription! It captures the essence of the piece. Now I wish for "Transports de joie" to be transcribed for orchestra. I dislike Messiaen's own third movement to the Ascension Suite. Tdj says it all!
AMAZING! DEFINITELY AMAZING!
Een en al kippenvel! Mooie vertolking.
This is amazing... By the end of my first listen it had already become my preferred version, which says a lot as this piece has been close to my heart for over a decade. The colors are exquisite, probably my favorite orchestral use of the saxophone of anyone since Ravel, the second movement almost made me cry, and the toccata had me on the edge of my seat (it WAS my least favorite movement, now I love it). It's funny, the first movement sounds a lot like Saturn from The Planets now that it's orchestrated, although I like this way better. I really hope a recording of this orchestration is released commercially so I can listen on walks. Have you considered orchestrating any other Duruflé?
Thanks for your appreciation and your observations! I have considered doing other works but the Suite is by far the most suited (no pun intended).
Félicitations pour cet énorme travail d'orchestration. J'en reste stupéfait 👏👏
Tres bien!
Thank you! Fantastic!
maybe the one thing i would change (and might, ive personally considered doing my own orchestral arrangement and possibly piano arrangement of the suite for several years) would be putting the organ back in the work, although in a limited supporting capacity, with some solos scattered. i would CERTAINLY open the Toccata with organ solo up to the 14:30 point......just my personal opinion :)
Interesting point! Although my project was precisely to translate the organ into the orchestra, without some of it actually remaining there. I wanted to get this music out of the organ "niche", and also not have its performance depend on the presence of an organ in the hall.
@@PieterJelledeBoer well you certainly achieved that! Another interesting i just thought of would be arranging the Andante from Op. 8 for organ, so that the entire work could be for organ (after all this is what Durufle did with the Scherzo Op. 2 and attached it to the Andante)
@@Doug19752533 I know the Trois Danses have been arranged for organ (by at least two different organists), but having the Andante as a prelude to the Scherzo would be a great idea as well. But first and foremost, the whole op. 8 deserves to be on orchestra programmes much more often, it is such beautiful music!
@@PieterJelledeBoer i agree. the Andante of op 8 reminds me of Le Mere by Debussy
Superb! I love the saxophone in the first movement and think Duruflé would have approved. I've thought about orchestrating this work for a while, but didn't know how to address the copyright restriction. I'm curious to know how you were able to pull it off. That all being said, I highly doubt I could have done a better job. The toccata is so idiomatic to the keyboard (much like Ravel's) and nearly impossible to orchestrate, but your ideas are quite imaginative. Is this transcription published? It should be.
Thanks for your comment! I took the idea for the saxophone from Duruflé's own Trois Danses where the instrument plays an important role. When I had the idea for the orchestration, I was able to present it directly to Durand, who approved and published it consequently.
Génial ! Délicatesse bien Française
Fantastisch!!
Zeer fraai! Maar één gevaar dreigt: wie wil er hierna nog de orgelversie horen? ;-)
Ik, zeker als u hem speelt!
Precioso!!👏👏👏👏
This is SUPERB! Some liberties taken, but I believe it accentuates what Durufle was trying to capture. Excellent job!
You say “some liberties taken” as if it was a bad thing. It's a good thing, and a necessity. In fact, I find that quite a few passages are too close to the original organ texture and would benefit from reimagining them more freely as orchestral textures.
Excelente orquestación,la precisa y apasionada(con sutileza gala)batuta en este opus 5,más bonito incluso que el original para orgel,muy buen trabajo.
Wow!!!!
This is so wonderful! Please, is there any way to obtain a copy of the score?
Now someone should attempt something like this for Vierne Symphony no. 3, that's something I'd be curious about.
Did you know Vierne himself orchestrated three movements of his first three symphonies for organ and orchestra ? It's hardly ever played but it's beautiful, especially the Adagio from the 3rd.
@@PieterJelledeBoer No, I didn't know that. You just blew my mind again. Are there recordings in existence? In case I didn't state it clear enough: Your orchestration absolutely rocks. I really enjoyed it and rarely heard any transcription for orchestra that is artistically quite as successful as yours. I love how clear and transparent the harmonies are in the Toccata, just to pick one example.
@@maniak1768 Thank you so much!
There are very few recordings of the Vierne orchestrations, but there is one by Dutch organist Christine Kamp for Festivo. The three movements are grouped together as "Pièce symphonique". You can order them as a download directly from the label's website.
@@PieterJelledeBoer what a brilliant way to present the piece!! I have love this music since first hearing in 1963 played by Virgil Fox!!
Rimsky-Korsakov could not have done better!
Can I have the sheet music of this interesting interpretation online?
Obviously not, since the piece is copyrighted. The orchestrator commented above that the orchestration was published by Durand, though. Don't know what that means exactly.
It's so overpowering, I had to pause it to get through it.
UItstaande!
Fantastisch! ...Nog mooier dan de orgelversie!
Dat geldt voor mij met name in de Sicilienne, waar Ravel nadrukkelijk om de hoek komt kijken, en in de schittering en de instrumentale rijkdom van de Toccata. De sonoriteit van de Prélude vind ik echter in de orgelklank onovertrefbaar.
Greekolas spotted
Is this commercially available?
very nice transcription to orchestra. Those major chords at the end lack power in this form unfortunately. all together, a great performance.
I'm glad that Stavanger took a stab at these 'sweet truffles and jelly beer' with Anthony 'Cantus Firmus' Hermus.
A huge improvement on the original. The question remains: why didn't Durufle orchestrate this? His opus 6 shows his ability in that direction. It IS orchestral music: the organ version is a mistake...no wonder he couldn't make the Toccata work satisfactorily.
Thank you! Even though I wouldn't go as far as calling the organ version a mistake, it is marvellous in itself. Duruflé did arrange the Sicilienne for chamber orchestra. And even if the writing in the toccata is pure keyboard technique, the music itself is indeed on a symphonic scale.
A colorful and imaginative re-interpretation of Durufle's score. As one who regularly plays the original, I missed the richness and fire that the "jeux d'anches" of the organ provide. And it also lacked the elegance of Durufle's own "Trois Danses" - parts of it almost suggested Danses Macabres.
I sort of agree. I think it's amazing,. But sometimes the tension in the music, due to the presence of the reeds stops, is sweetened a bit.
Pauvre Duruflé ! Il n'avait pas besoin de cette orchestyration de bastringue !!!!!!!
Ni d'un commentaire d'idiot.