During the Happy Days weekend centred on Bach, the organ could not be left out! All organists share a devotion for the Kantor of Leipzig, the father of them all, who bequeathed to them a large number of works, as varied in form as in expression. In 1921, after “practice runs” at the Conservatoire de Paris, Marcel Dupré stunned audiences at the Palais du Trocadéro when, over ten concerts, he played from memory the complete works of Bach, a first in France! The organ you will have before you, on 16 January, will be the same organ on which Dupré achieved this exploit, as it was transferred to the Auditorium in 1977. This time, however, we have set our sights slightly lower with a “mere” four hour performance, including intervals! The stars of this Bach Marathon are organ students form the two Lyon conservatoires and the conservatoires of Oyonnax and Chambéry. Budding artists, young professionals and teachers, will share the “grammar book” of all apprentice organists: Bach’s Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book), a collection of 46 short choral preludes spanning a wide diversity of forms and characters. Ton Koopman, Vincent Warnier and Laurent Jochum will encompass this event, and will play some of the finest organ works (including the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, that’s a promise!)

In collaboration with the Festival d’Ambronay / Centre culturel de rencontre d’Ambronay.