Vesper

Gunnar Idenstam (born in 1961) is a Swedish organist and composer. He wrote a suite of 17 pieces named "Cathedral Music" ; "Vesper" is a movement from it.

In the foreword, he writes " I was trained in the French organ tradition, but one thing that has accompanied me throughout my life as a musician is my liking for folk music, pop and symphonic rock...I am also fascinated by certain features of New Age and Gregorian chant, by the way a pop bass-player works out his bass lines......."

All this can be found in Vesper which allies flavors of Vierne and Dupré, of Gregorian chant and also of pop music. Idenstam describes it as "Another Gregorian excursion, in the more shadowy regions of the cathedral. The deepest suffering is present. Not until the end does the music attain a certain peace".

Cathedral Music is full of superb pieces, but with a problem : most of them are fiendishly difficult, and Vesper is among the very rare affordable ones. By the way, Idenstam is a most impressive virtuoso and improviser ; if you have the opportunity to attend a concert by him, don't miss your chance !