DESCRIPTION:
Paul Wachs (1851-1915) was a Parisian pianist, organist and composer. He studied organ at the Conservatoire Nationale with Benoist and Franck, and served the church of Saint-Merri as organist for twenty years. This Marche Seraphique is the final piece in his undated collection "L'Orgue au Salon -- 6 Pièces pour Harmonium." The music opens with a "Tempo di marcia maestoso" on the four ranks of Grand Jeu and all swells open; the central section uses only the 16' (2) rank plus the treble (6) Voix Celeste. Grand Jeu is re-instated for the closing section by means of a "talonnière," a lever between the player's feet. Built by the Mustel firm of Paris, this harmonium was tuned or approved on 11 February 1887; Michael Hendron recorded this piece on 11 February 2014. Many thanks to Niels in Belgium for introducing me to the music of Paul Wachs.