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JANSMUSIC RECOMMENDED RECORDING

David Sanger: Lefebure-Wely organ music
Meridian CDE 84296
Bolero de concert in G minor / Scene Pastorale in G / Marche in F / Elevation - Communion in A minor / Marche in C / Andante in F /
Pastorale in C / Sortie in E flat / Verset in G / Offertoire in C / Verset in F / Fugue in E minor / Pastorale in G / Marche in E flat /
Verset in A / Communion in F / Sortie in B flat

Lefebure-Wely can be easily thought of as the John Williams or Andrew Lloyd-Webber of the French romantic organ world.  He knew how to cater for the masses, producing works that are elegant, tuneful and easy to listen to. At the same time he was a child prodigy, a talented organist and improviser and a very well-liked musical figure.

I first became aware of Lefebure-Wely when I heard his Sortie in E flat at a wedding I was singing for, and immediately loved the piece, so I was thrilled to bits to be given this recording a few years ago.  David Sanger is the perfect performer for these pieces - he beautifully lets the character of each one shine through, injecting just the right amount of humour into the wonderful circus-like marches and dance movements, while melting through some of the more lyrical movements.

This CD is a hoot: one would be tempted to think that a lot of these works are parodies or spoofs, but what comes across to me is an incredible sense of enjoyment. This composer loved the organ - you can tell from what he wrote.  He was also deeply influenced by the whole French church tradition.  His communion movements are as tender and as contemplative as you would expect, while the sorties are just right for lifting you out of your seat, and wandering down the aisle to the great west door.  And I still love the one in E flat. The marches are authoritative, the versets lyrical.  This is a wonderful, joyous CD, guaranteed to lift your spirits, and I could quite happily sit and listen on repeat play for hours without getting bored.