Saint-Wandrille Abbey Organ – Dom Michel Baumel CD, 14 Tracks

An invitation to hear the organ anew

A moment of attention, the opening musical phrase, and the space seems to take on another dimension. Voix d’orgue à l’Abbaye Saint-Wandrille introduces Dom Michel Baumel’s playing in a setting where instrument and church acoustic respond to each other. A CD for enjoying shades of sound and beautiful repertoire.

Fourteen tracks from Couperin to Mendelssohn

The programme brings together Louis and François Couperin, Aguilera de Heredia, Frescobaldi, Clérambault, Buxtehude, Bach and Mendelssohn. The chorale Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, the four movements of Bach’s Pastorale in F major and the Buxtehude pieces offer several ways into the listening. Explore varied musical forms and colours as the tracks unfold.

The spiritual presence of an abbey instrument

At Saint-Wandrille, the organ accompanies the monks’ singing and prayer. This album offers an instrumental encounter with it in an abbey church with a distinctive wooden structure. The chorales and other works suit a contemplative pause or simply the pleasure of listening to beautiful organ music.

Enjoy at home and give with affection

Choose a track after reading, set aside time for the album or share the discovery with someone close to you. Its 53 minutes and 02 seconds fit comfortably into an evening devoted to music. As a birthday or Christmas gift for someone drawn to church instruments, it brings together a setting, a performer and repertoire to rediscover.

Complete programme: 14 tracks with timings

1. L. Couperin : Chacone en Sol mineur — 2:26
2. S. Aguilera de Heredia : Salve du 1er ton — 1:34
3. G. Frescobaldi : Canzone en Ré mineur — 2:45
4. F. Couperin : Tierce en taille — 3:39
5. L.N. Clérambault : Dialogue sur les grands jeux — 2:41
6. D. Buxtehude : Prélude et fugue en Fa majeur — 3:22
7. D. Buxtehude : Chacone en Mi mineur — 5:09
8. J.S. Bach : Choral : Jésus que ma joie demeure — 3:42
9. J.S. Bach : Pastorale en Fa majeur : Pastorale — 2:23
10. J.S. Bach : Pastorale en Fa majeur : Allemande — 2:52
11. J.S. Bach : Pastorale en Fa majeur : Aria — 3:19
12. J.S. Bach : Pastorale en Fa majeur : Gigue — 4:32
13. J.S. Bach : Choral : O homme, pleure sur tes lourds péchés — 6:06
14. F. Mendelssohn : Prélude et fugue en Ut mineur — 8:10

Questions about your Voix d’orgue CD

Who plays the organ on this album?

Dom Michel Baumel, at the organ of Saint-Wandrille Abbey.

Is this an album of monastic singing?

The listed programme is instrumental: it features organ pieces, including Bach chorales.

Who would enjoy this CD as a gift?

A lover of organ music, Bach or classical repertoire, or someone who values the musical atmosphere of an abbey.