And after the Grand Masters...?  

  


Among the great masters, only Jean GUILLOU and Pierre LABRIC, are still alive today. Pierre LABRIC (88 years old in 2009) is now in a retirement home after a 40-year career at the organ of Saint-Ouen in Rouen.

Jeanne DEMESSIEUX died in 1968, Marcel DUPRE in 1971, Jean-Jacques GRUNENWALD in 1982, Pierre COCHEREAU in 1984, Jean LANGLAIS in 1991, and Olivier MESSIAEN in 1992, Rolande FALCINELLI died in June 2006, Jean BONFILS in november 2007

 

Several organists, however, seem perfectly worthy to take up their work. I refer to Vincent Crosnier, the inequalled Arnaud de Beauregard, Livia Mazzanti, Francesco Finotti, Leonid Karev , Yanka Hekimova. All are exceptional organists and all, strangely, express the distinctive influence of Jean Guillou's teaching.

 

Then come to mind the names of Maxime Patel and Nicolas Pien, who worked with Pierre Labric: both are interesting !  I believe that Maxime Patel is the only organist able of playing, with stupefying ease, all the works of Jeanne Demessieux .

These eight artists are worthy of carrying on the great tradition of the organ.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I worked for Jean-Jacques Grunenwald for several years until his death.

I spent 10 years to work on the Saint-Sulpice organ, until I desagree with the last restoration.

 

 

 

 

 

BELLOW, probably the best organists I ever heard. I think you should invite some of them to play concerts, you will not be disappointed !!  Both, they are the succession of the great masters.... !!

Arnaud recording the Chant d'Oiseau in Bruxelles

Arnaud de Beauregard 

Arnaud is one of the best organists I ever heard

Here on this picture, playing the Kleuker organ of Notre Dame du Chant d'Oiseau - Bruxelles

 

 

 

 

 

Livia MAZZANTI   is an exceptional organist  !!!

 

Livia lives in Roma. She is the best woman organist I know. Her talent is unic, exceptionnal and unbelievable. The past time of the great women organists is done !  This is changing with Livia Mazzanti. With my work as organ technician, sometime I meet women organists, most of them are totally uninteresting. Once again, Livia is THE BEST woman organist I ever heard !

 

For a month, August 2009, she plays at Notre Dame d'Auteuil Church

 

 

 

 

 

Vincent Crosnier  (assistant organist at St-Eustache, Paris) 

Vincent is a fantastic improviser and one of the best organists I know

 

 

 

 EACH TIME I hear Vincent Crosnier playing organ, this is a real amazing moment.

With Arnaud de Beauregard, both they are obviously among the best organists.

 

 

If you are interested to invite Vincent Crosnier for a concert - and you should be interested - please, do not hesitate to contact him

 

 

 

Vincent Crosnier practicing by night at Trinité

 

 

Vincent Crosnier playing on the Messiaen's organ during a Mass

 

 

   

 

Loïc Mallié playing for the 2008 Messiaen's centenary

 

 

Loïc Mallié is one of the best sutdient of Messiaen in the 70s. He was titular organist of the large Cavaillé-Coll organ at Saint-Pierre de Neuilly. Messiaen himself often told me that he really loved his talent.

About him, he said:  "Mallié is one of the best improviser I ever heard, his technic is unbelievable !! Obviously, he is among the best musicians I ever met. Among organists, he is probably my favorite one" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Francesco FINOTTI is another fantastic organist.

See his website

Francesco has recorded some very very good CDs. His work is particulary interesting about organs design.

 

For American organists and organbuilders, I think they should be very glad to have an organ designed by Francesco.

Forget the bad usual 8-4-2 mixtures, reeds....!!  With Francesco Finotti, you get an unic project for your instrument.

 

Don't be shy, don't be afraid by a new organ design and contact him.