Music demo pieces

The usual stop list indications are not shown here for practical reasons - the registration often changes during the piece making the list incomprehensible enough. Moreover, the symphonic sound is characteristic for the perfect amalgamation of the tone colors, the stess is not so much on the color of individual stops. Please, see the registration tips to learn more and to have the rough idea what stops were used for the recording.

Live recorded improvisations by Frédéric Deschamps

Demos recorded by Peter Bengtson - Wet version

Where possible, try to download and play the mp4 version of the piece. It has much higher quality over the mp3, the quality comparable almost to the wave sound, and still the files are very small for the download. Some of the demos are available from the Contrebombarde.

César Franck (1822-1890) : Pièce héroique (7:57)

• download: mp3 or mp4. Recorded by Peter Bengtson.
• shows the symphonic sound and the tutti, also various solo stops: Trompette 8 of the Récit, G.O. Flûte harmonique, etc.

Louis Victor Jules Vierne (1870-1937) : Prélude (Symphony nr. 1) - 8:24

• Download mp3 or mp4. Or listen to the Contrebombarde. Recorded by Peter Bengtson.
• The piece begins with a typical "Demi Grand Choeur", that is, the Fonds 16', 8', and 4' of all the coupled manuals, with all Récit reeds, and the swell box closed and the pedal using all flues (32', 16', 8' and 4'). All crescendos and diminuendos are done solely with the swell box and by moving from manual to manual, also adding pedal couplers. The reeds of the Positif are not added until at 4:20; the G.O. and Pédale reeds are added at 4:36, and finally, completing the symphonic "Grand Choeur", the Octaves Graves are added at 5:08.

 L. Vierne  : Cathédrales (9:35)

• Download mp3 or mp4. Recorded by Peter Bengtson.
• A "Demi Grand Choeur" (Fonds 16', 8', 4' on all manuals, same for the Pédale but also with 32', and all the reeds of the Récit) with the theme in the Pédale alternates with fonds sections on the Récit. From 6:16, the organ accumulates all its power by opening the swell box and adding the Anches of first the Positif, then the Grand Orgue and the Pédale, and finally by adding the Octave Graves. Finally, the Fonds harmonies on the Récit return, after which the piece closes quietly with a restatement of the theme on the Positif, accompanied by the Récit.

L. Vierne : Cantiléne (Symphony nr. 3) - 5:05

• Download mp3 or mp4. Recorded by Peter Bengtson.
• The Cor de nuit 8' on the Positif accompanies a chromatic-lyrical melody, played on the Clarinette 8' of the Récit. The middle section explores harmonic structures on the Fonds 8' of the G.O. and Récit, after which the Récit melody returns, this time sounding on the Trompette 8' and accompanied by the Positif Cor de nuit 8' and Flûte douce 4'. The movement closes on the Voix céleste 8' and Gambe 8', with a final appearance of the theme in the Pédale

Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937): Choral (Symphony nr. 10) - 8:06

• Download mp3 or mp4. Recorded by Peter Bengtson.
• The 8' and 4' flutes of the Récit accompany the melody in the pedal, using all three 8' stops of the pedal and all 8' fonds of the manuals. Later, solos on the Flûte harmonique of the G.O. and various combinations of Fonds.

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) : Apparition de l'Eglise éternelle  (9:46)

• The Demi Grand Choeur crescendo in a modern context. Demonstrating the "gravitas" of the Caen.
• Listen to Contrebombarde (mp3). Recorded by Peter Bengtson.
  

Jean Langlais (1907-1991) : Nazard (3:05)

• showcases the 2 2/3 Nasard extension stop on the Positif, also various flute accompaniment stops at 8' and 4' in the Récit
• Listen to Contrebombarde (mp3). Recorded by Peter Bengtson.

J. Langlais : De profundis (6:28)

• Shows the darker colours of the Caen organ, also the Récit pianissimo and piano pianissimo. Solo stops on the G.O. (Cornet) and Positif (Cromorne).
• Listen to Contrebombarde (mp3). Recorded by Peter Bengtson.

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) : Suite op. 5 - 1. Prélude (8:23)

• Impressionist piece building to the full power of the organ in three waves. Lots of special colours. Extended solo on the Positif Trompette 8'.
• Listen to Contrebombarde (mp3). Recorded by Peter Bengtson.

M. Duruflé : Suite op. 5 - 2. Sicilienne (6:19)

• Lots of colouristic and harmonic refinement, lots of solo stops and typical romantic registrations, from Hautbois to Clarinette, Voix Céleste, flute passages, melody in the pedal, and so on. Probably the most varied texture of all demos.
• Listen to Contrebombarde (mp3). Recorded by Peter Bengtson.

Demos recorded by Christian Boogaard - Wet version

René Becker  (1804-1877) : Prière (3:58)

• Download mp3 or wav. Recorded by Christian Boogaard.
• Viola + Voix Céleste later adding more strings of the Pos. and G.O.

René Becker : Toccata Sonata I. (5:38)

• Download mp3 or wav. Recorded by Christian Boogaard.
• Starting from Pianissimo and building to the great Tutti.

Joseph Callaerts (1838-1901) : Toccata  (5:12)

• download mp3 or wav. Recorded by Christian Boogaard.
• Symphonic colours, building to the full power of the organ. This piece demonstrates the Caen sample set is very unforgiving - it will reveal every hesitation on the side of player. This makes it a good choice for practicing music.

Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wély (1817-1869) : Andante (3:46), Prière (3:32)

• Download Andante (wet version - mp3 or wav). Recoreded by Christian Boogaard. Shows the Voix Humaine with Tremulo (not yet finalized version, though) of the Récit in comparison with the Flute Harmonique of the G.O.
• Listen to Contrebombarde - recorded mixing the surround and front channels together.
• Download Prière (wet version - mp3 or wav). Recorded by Christian Boogaard.
• Listen Contrebombarde - recorded mixing the surround and front channels together.

Félix-Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911) : Final (8:33)

• Download mp3 or wav. Recorded by Christian Boogaard.
• Shows the full organ and the softer passages on the Récit.

Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897) : Prière (5:18)

• Download Prière: mp3 or wav. Recorded by Christian Boogaard. Viola + Voix Céleste with Flute Harm. as solo stop. Later added more 'Jeux de Fonds'.

Jan Zwart (1877-1937) : Psaume 75 (4:25)

• Download mp3. Recorded by Christian Boogaard.
• Typical Dutch composition using full organ.

Eugène Gigout (1844-1925) : Toccata (3:31)

• Listen to Contrebombarde. Recorded by Christian Boogaard.
• Layered crescendo built up to the great Tutti.

Flor Peeters (1903-1986) : Aria (4:21)

• Shows the Basson Hautbois and Clarinette of the Récit accompaniment by 8'4' flues of the Pos. The behaviour of the swell is also audible. At the end only the Clarinette and the Unda Maris.
• Listen to Contrebombarde. Recorded by Christian Boogaard.