Tu es Petra (Marcia)

French organist. Studied under Marcel Dupre. Became organist at the Madeleine in Paris in 1962. Longer profile here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Demessieux

This piece comes from Twelve Choral-Preludes on Gregorian Chant Themes, op. 8 published in 1950. It is interesting that three works by three different composers are kind of interconnected. A request was made in 1950 by McLaughlin & Reilly to Marcel Dupre and Jean Langlais for organ works for the mass. Dupre said he was too busy and suggested his student Demessieux - who wrote the twelve pieces in the book. Langlais agreed and wrote 'Four Postludes for Organ'. Dupre then changed his mind and wrote 'Eight Short
Preludes on Gregorian Themes.'

Demessieux was organist at the Madeliene from 1962 until her death in 1968. The score calls for Tutti, so this would perhaps be close to the sound she had in mind for this piece. I know this sample set is old, rather limited and not as good sounding as more modern ones, but it still sounds lovely if you want Fonds 8 or Tutti!

Other notable organists of La Madeliene have been Saint-Saens, Theodore Dubois, Gabriel Faure and Lefebure-Wely.

Hope you enjoy!
John