Organ literature is generally not extremely virtuoso, because the technical layout of historical organs is not always comfortable and because organists, with their many public functions, have something else to do than study impossible pieces. Nevertheless, the organ literature has a number of difficult parts, whereby the chorale fantasies of Reger and the great cycles of Messiaen are child's play.
The existence of these pieces is well known, but who has the courage to play them? Examples are Sorabji's Symphonies, Ferneyhough's Sieben Sterne, Jan Vriend's Jets d'orgue and Iannis Xenakis' Gmeeoorh. A performance of the latter work has actually appeared. Organist François Rieunier dared to release this volcanic eruption on a CD, of which the booklet is adorned with images of fire-breathing volcanoes for good reason. The work ends in an unprecedented apotheosis, in which the organist performs the wildest clusters with the help of wooden planks. Organist and volcano geek Francis Chaplet can also witness Etna 71 and his Evocations Improvisées de l'Éruption du Volcan Niragongo. The CD also contains Diagramme by Charles Chaynes. (HJ)more
