Écho

Antoine Louis Joseph Gueyrand Fernand Fouant de La Tombelle (Paris, 3 August 1854 - Dordogne, 13 August 1928) was a French organist and composer.

His first compositions won him twice the gold medal of the Grand Prix Pleyel. As an organist, he joined forces with Guilmant for the recitals of the Trocadéro in 1878. Although he was never "appointed," he was the assistant and the replacement of Théodore Dubois at the Cavaillé-Coll organ of the Madeleine church in Paris. In the same way, he often collaborated with Guilmant in recitals on his organ in the Church of the Holy Trinity. He was frequently jn demand as a performer, and gave organ recitals throughout France.

For a full and interesting (I THINK it is, IF you read French!), you can have a look here: http://www.musimem.com/tombelle.htm

Écho is taken from the First Livraisons, and is dedicated to Alexandré Guilmant. It consist of short phrases played on the Grand Orgue, and then echoed by the Voix Humaine of the Récit.

The phrases played upon the Grand Orgue stand out clearly, but the Voix Humaine, sweet as it is, is very soft. It sounds softer on the "play back" than it did when I recorded this earlier. However, the overall effect is quite fine.

An unusual feature of this organ is that the Tremolo affects the Récit, Grand Orgue and Bombarde. So, you hear the tremolo on the Grand Orgue phrases as well. This is unique to this organ, and I decided not to be so fussy as to turn it on and off.

I know that there are many people here that have a great interest in French romantic literature, so, I'm hopeful that these may be of interest.

I recall reading that La Tombelle is NOT to be overlooked or taken to lightly. He has a big output of works, ranging from small "harmonium-like" to full-fledged virtuoso pieces, including a "homage to Widor" Toccata!

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Ferdnand de la Tombelle.