Marie-Claire Alain

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Sorry if this has been covered in the other two mega organ threads we have going right now, but I thought she deserved her own thread. After years of seeing her name here and there and in record stores, my curiosity finally got the better of me, and I started listening to some of her recordings on YouTube. I loved what I heard, and found her interpretations, phrasing and registrations very appealing.

Here, watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42kRbT6MdYY&list=PL9oxzbmxCQhNY4RNdV6nO2eDhLs5AfiLX

Now want to buy one of her complete sets of Bach's organ works. I understand she recorded the complete cycle three times. Which set would be the best one to begin with, or what would you buy if you had to choose one?

[Mandryka]

I haven't heard her first set of Bach recordings, I've only heard her second and third cycle on Erato.

The organs sound  different. She was inspired to make the third set because she had access to well restored Silbermann  organs. I think the second performances  sometimes sound quite transparent, with voices very easily distinguishable and less blended.

She also wanted to record the third cycle because she was interested in new ideas about authentic performance. The third recordings are sometimes more still, more monumental. At least, they're the best adjecttives I can come up with right now. The Passacaglia is an example, ans some of the Leipzig Chorales.

[val]

A few weeks ago I listened to her interpretation of works of her brother, Jehan Alain. It is beautiful, in special the "Three Dances" the masterpiece of Alain.

[jlaurson]

Fortunately you have only two cycles to choose from, since the first one never made it unto CD.

J.S. Bach Complete Organ Works Marie-Claire Alain II Erato German link - UK link	J.S. Bach Complete Organ Works Marie-Claire Alain III Erato German link - UK link
15 CDs, rec. 1978-80 Organs: Schwenkedel, Drôme Marcussen, Kolding Metzler, Mariastein (Busch-Marcussen, Augustenborg) Contains the Trio Sonatas, which the other set doesn't	14 CDs, rec. 1986-1994 Organs: Martinkerk, Groningen * Grote Sint Laurenskerk, Alkmaar ** Freiberger Dom * St.Georgen, Rötha * St.Martin de Masevaux St.Bavokerk, Haarlem, Jakobinjerkerk, Leeuwarden, Aa-kerk, Groningen, Stiftskirche Grauhof, Goslar Complete liner notes here.

I thought that set II was in many ways ideal as a first set to have... but when I just recently listened to III again, I was JUST as convinced of that set... so now I'd be really torn to decide between the two... perhaps leaning a bit toward III. But I'm pretty sure that you can't go wrong with either.

[Marc]

Fortunately you have only two cycles to choose from, since the first one never made it unto CD.

[....]
[15 CDs, rec. 1978-80
Organs: Schwenkedel, Drôme
Marcussen, Kolding
Metzler, Mariastein
(Busch-Marcussen, Augustenborg)
Contains the Trio Sonatas, which the other set doesn't.
[....]

The other set does contain the Trio Sonatas (Schnitger/Timpe organ, Der Aa Kerk, Groningen, NL), but it does not contain some miscellaneous works like BWV 1085 and BWV 1121 (even though they weren't part of the official catalogue and therefore still in the 'Anhang' in 1978-1980).

A greater miss in the 90s set is the absence of the Neumeister Chorales. They were discovered in 1985 and after that 'officially approved' by Christoph Wolff, and I think it's a pity she never recorded them.

I thought that set II was in many ways ideal as a first set to have... but when I just recently listened to III again, I was JUST as convinced of that set... so now I'd be really torn to decide between the two... perhaps leaning a bit toward III. But I'm pretty sure that you can't go wrong with either.

The same 'problems' here. But from time to time, Alain seems a little bit more aloof in the last set (= set III). But that last set profits from more beautiful (historic) organs!

[Mandryka]

Sometimes I think she articulates the music into shorter cells in the second, the third cycle has longer phrasing. And sometimes the touch is slightly more detatched in the second cycle than the third. And the second is generally faster than the third. I don't know if these are the HIP ideas she wanted to incorporate in the new final cycle.

To answer the OP, you need both cycles. Just like you need both the Walchas.

[Parsifal]

Fortunately you have only two cycles to choose from, since the first one never made it unto CD.

J.S. Bach Complete Organ Works Marie-Claire Alain II Erato German link - UK link	J.S. Bach Complete Organ Works Marie-Claire Alain III Erato German link - UK link
15 CDs, rec. 1978-80 Organs: Schwenkedel, Drôme Marcussen, Kolding Metzler, Mariastein (Busch-Marcussen, Augustenborg) Contains the Trio Sonatas, which the other set doesn't	14 CDs, rec. 1986-1994 Organs: Martinkerk, Groningen * Grote Sint Laurenskerk, Alkmaar ** Freiberger Dom * St.Georgen, Rötha * St.Martin de Masevaux St.Bavokerk, Haarlem, Jakobinjerkerk, Leeuwarden, Aa-kerk, Groningen, Stiftskirche Grauhof, Goslar Complete liner notes here.

This is a case where I made a bargain with myself and sold Alain III to get Alain II and now wish I had both.  On the other hand, Alain III now goes for half the price I sold it for.  Maybe it is time to buy it back.

[prémont]

Sometimes I think she articulates the music into shorter cells in the second, the third cycle has longer phrasing. And sometimes the touch is slightly more detatched in the second cycle than the third. And the second is generally faster than the third.

Yes, and this is why I find the second cycle more satisfying musically. It is more elaborated and expressive, while the second, as Marc writes, seems a bit aloft. Of course some of the difference is caused by the organs she chose, but I suppose her choice was very considered, and that she wanted it in that way.

To answer the OP, you need both cycles. Just like you need both the Walchas.

Completely agreed.

[jlaurson]

...Just like you need both the Walchas.

Completely agreed.

Really?? Walcha I is perhaps my least favorite Bach cycles (I don't own Jean Guillou, though, at least), whereas Walcha II is among my favorites. And not just because of the trams and cars driving by... but probably largely because of the ungainly sound.

[Mandryka]

Yes, and this is why I find the second cycle more satisfying musically. It is more elaborated and expressive, while the second, as Marc writes, seems a bit aloft. Of course some of the difference is caused by the organs she chose, but I suppose her choice was very considered, and that she wanted it in that way.

It's hard for me to say what the pros and cons of the style in the third cycle are. I know I find her sometimes very affecting in the big preludes and  fugues in the third, in The Wedge, for example. The articulation brings something, but I'm not clear enough in my own mind to say how it's working, what it's doing.