This album features Giulio Mercati performing on two different instruments: an 1892 Débain harmonium and the 1910 Mascioni organ of the Lugano Cathedral, to highlight their sonic differences.
Performer Biography
Giulio Mercati, the performer, is a versatile musician who has performed as an organ and harpsichord soloist in over twenty countries, including prestigious venues like the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and St. Patrick Cathedral in New York.
Instruments
The French harmonium, a pump organ, was invented in 1840 by Alexandre-François Debain and was popular in non-religious settings until World War One.
Composer Biography
Louis Vierne served as the organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral from 1900 until his death in 1937, which occurred while he was playing the cathedral organ.
Composer Biography
Camille Saint-Saëns, a child prodigy, performed publicly on piano at age five and debuted at Salle Pleyel at seven, playing Mozart's Concerto K. 450.
Composer Biography
Louis Vierne, born with severe eyesight problems, studied music at the Young Blind Institute before attending the Paris Conservatory.
Critical Reception
Despite his technical mastery, Camille Saint-Saëns's music was never truly loved, and much of it is rarely performed today, except for a few famous works.
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