Paraphrase sur un Choeur de Judas Macchabée

The Parisian concert organist and composer, Alexandre Guilmant, was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer to a family of organists and organ builders. Largely self-taught, he studied for a short period with Lemmens, the great Belgian organist. Although he held the position as organist at La Trinité in Paris, it was in the concert hall where he achieved fame. He was received by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle and achieved many honours in the course of his career.

Guilmant had a great interest in the music of the past and he seems to have particularly enjoyed the music of Handel. His 'Paraphrase sur un Chœur de Judas Macchabée' is one of at least three works inspired by Handel's music, the other two being a march based on 'Lift Up Your Heads' from 'Messiah' and the 'Grand Chœur alla Handel'. First published in 1896 in his '18 Pièces Nouvelles, Op. 90', the piece begins quietly, the theme stated between two contrasting registrations at different pitches. A contrasting fugue-like middle section follows before the theme is reprised on the Grand Chœur, which makes for a thrilling climax.

During his lifetime Guilmant gave the opening recital on several of Cavaillé-Coll instruments and the small but perfectly formed Cavaillé-Coll in Oloron-Sainte-Marie is well-suited to this piece with plenty of power for the triumphant ending.