Pastorale, Six Pieces

Franck of the month for July…..

I was determined to give one of my “baby” CC samples a look in to my Franck of the month recordings & the Pastorale fitted both Oloron & Begard like a glove. I should say that I only call these organs “babies” based on their size not on their aspiration or artistic merit: both are giants in these respects & show what can be done with a relatively small stoplist.
After comparing various recordings of the two versions, I opted for Oloron. Why? On the basis that, in the final section, I could experiment with an uncoupled right hand solo in the final section so that shared notes in the left hand weren’t lost. It isn’t what the Master asked for, but this tiny change, I think, enhances the musical experience ever so slightly.

Pastorale has been, for me at least, a little bit of an ugly duckling in Franck’s great organ works. My first experience of this piece was at university when my Professor played it & my only memory is of the rather unlovely Swell Trompette quacking its way through the middle section!
It is really only since immersing myself in Franck & learning this piece that I have fallen in love with this piece.
As I play the final section my mind conjures up the image of a candlelit church at Christmas. Sentimental? Maybe! But see if it works for you…..