Toccata

René Vierne (1878-1918) was Louis Vierne's younger brother. He was killed in action during the last months of the WWI.

He got a 1st organ prize at Conservatoire de Paris and became organiste at Notre-Dame des Champs, near Montparnasse.

He left several organ pieces, most of them playable at the harmonium, like his brother's Pièces en style libre. His language shows Franck's and his brother Louis' influence, but with a personal flavour.

This toccata has something rather abrupt and somewhat violent as we can find in some compositions by his elder brother Louis. It was intended for organ or harmonium (the score indicates the harmonium registrations). The dynamics have a strong "harmonium mood" which is - IMHO - not completely suited to the organ but that I have tried to follow without a complete enthusiasm. May be it was the wrong choice ?

Compared to the usual output "for organ or harmonium" of this period (around 1910), this toccata is original both by its panting rythm and by its many clashing harmonies.