Balbastre Organ Works

Famous for its association with Balbastre’s Variations on La Marseillaise and Balbastre’s tenure as titulaire 1756-1799, the organ and the church of Saint-Roch are the venue for this recording by Francoise Levechin-Gangloff of 18 works by Balbastre (1727-1799), who also played for annual 3-month stints at Notre-Dame Cathedral. The works recorded here are not the beloved Noëls, but other works that deserve a hearing. So popular was his playing that he is sometimes credited with creating the organ recital. In 1762, the Archbishop forbade him to play his famed Noëls for fear of a riot!

Grand Jeux, Air, Duo, Trio, Giga, Concert de Flute avec la Voix Humanie, Dialogue Gravement, Prelude, Petite Chasse, Basse de Cromhorne, Pièce sans Titre; Fierement; Offertoire, Allegro Gayement, etc.