PAUL DE MALEINGREAU (1887-1956): Symphonie de Noël, Op. 19, Suite, Op. 14, Toccata, Op. 73/4.

Description: Educated by Lemmens and Tinel, Maleingreau spent most of his life at the Belgian Royal Conservatory of Music teaching harmony and, from 1929, organ. Most of his works predate the latter appointment and the two large-scale pieces here were his first of that size (and the suite ends with an intricate, virtuoso Toccata lasting 13 minutes), dating from 1918 and 1919. The use of Gregorian chant sets him apart from some of his French contemporaries although collectors of French organ music will surely find these pieces amenable. Peter Van de Velde (Schyven organ of Our Lady's Cathedral, Antwerp). SACD hybrid.