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 From his post as organ professor at the Brussels Conservatory, Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens (1823-1881) became the leading teacher of great Parisian organists in the mid-19th century (Guilmant and Widor), close associate of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, and the catalyst for classical reform in a milieu of liturgical music that had adopted show music and can-can rhythms exploited by Lemmens’ rival, Lefebure-Wély. That said, one wonders at the visceral excitement of some of Lemmens’ works, such as the final two movements of his Sonata No. 1 and his famous Fanfare in D. Master organist Ben van Oosten plays all three of Lemmens’ organ sonatas – his total ouvre in this form – as well several other works. The superb recording features the the organ built in 1871-74 by the Belgian, Pierre Schyven, for Notre-Dame de Laeken, the largest neo-gothic structure in Belgium.
Sonata No. 1 "Pontificale" in D minor
includes Marche Pontificale in D Major and Fuga (Fanfare in D Major)
Sonata No. 2 "O Filii" in E-minor
includes Fuga in E minor on "O Filii"
Sonata No. 3 "Pascale" in A minor
includes Fantasie in A minor and "Adoration" from Christmas Offertorium taken from Four Organ Pieces in the free style (1866)
From École d’Orgue, 1862:
Prélude à 5 parties (Grave) in E-flat
Fanfare in D
Catabile in B-minor
Prière in E
Finale in D
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