French masters of the organ

the long version

This engaging book discusses the colorful personalities and beloved music of the French romantic organist-composers. The book offers to lovers of French music and culture - and especially to student organists - details of these composers' lives and times and of their styles and techniques. Drawing on his personal acquaintance with Messiaen, Langlais, Dupre, and other famous contemporaries, and on period documents, original accounts, early recordings, and other primary sources, Murray examines the relationship between organ building and musical composition, the nature of romanticism and classicism, and the ever-perplexing question of composer versus interpreter.