Gounod St Cecelia Mass & Vierne Messe Solennelle

Gounod, one of the leading French composers of his time, is known today mostly for his operas Faust, Romeo and Juliet and, of course, his Ave Maria. His first significant success, however, was in sacred music. The Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécil firmly established Gounod as the leading sacred music composer of his time.

There are three charismatic French giants of the organ: Widor, who would hold 'salon' parties in his organ loft; Vierne, so committed to his art that he continued to perform literally to the end, dying mid-recital in Notre-Dame; and Dupré, of whom it was declared 'He will be an organist' even as he lay in his cradle. Vierne’s Messe Solennelle was originally composed for performance in the church of St-Sulpice, 'one of the noblest structures in Paris', and calls upon two organs, the grand orgue being employed at times to devastating effect.