Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23, Op. 23
by Marcel Dupre
Marcel Dupre's Symphonie-Passion (1924) represents the summit of the French symphonic organ tradition, composed for and first improvised at the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia before being written down. In four movements corresponding to the birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ, Dupre builds a vast tonal architecture incorporating Gregorian themes -- including the Easter Sequence and the Veni Creator -- transformed through a richly Romantic harmonic idiom touched by Impressionism. The final movement, Resurrection, reaches an overwhelming climax that remains one of the most spectacular moments in the organ repertoire. Technically the work demands fluency in multi-layer polyphony, complex pedal passages, and an organ of symphonic scope.
Movements
Editions
Alphonse Leduc
Original edition, 1925
The original publication of the written-down version; the standard performing text.
Alphonse Leduc
Revised edition, 1972
Revised printing with corrected errata; the current standard edition.