Romance, Op. 59, No. 8

Théodore-César Salomé (20 January 1834 – 26 July 1896) was born in Paris. He completed all of his musical studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, under the tutelage of François Bazin for harmony and accompaniment, and François Benoist for organ. He won several honorable awards, including: second prize in harmony (1855), second prize in organ and in harmony (1856), second and third prize in harmony and organ (1857), and second prize in harmony (1859). His cantata Atala was awarded the premier Second Grand Prix of the Prix de Rome in 1861. In the same year Théodore Dubois was awarded the first grand prize, and Eugène Anthiome and Titus Constantin won the deuxième Second Grand Prix. He was highly regarded, and served as "Choir Organist" at La Trinité in Paris for many years.

12 Pièces nouvelles pour orgue, Op.59 are a fine collection that show the composer at his most refined. They speak of an age long gone by, and to hear or play these works immediately places the listener or performer in that "long ago and far away" scenario.

"Romance" is the 8th work in the collection. In the key of G, "Moderato" it is indeed a true "romance," but it is skillfully written, and goes beyond just being pretty.

The style and devices used are certainly "of the period," but the taste and assurance that permeates the work elevates it beyond the sentimental.

Because the St. Omer organ is "different" from later, "more romantic" Cavaillé-Coll instruments, you will need to "adjust" the writing and registering to make the effect that you want.

After my Karg-Elert binge (which IS still on-going), I'm still at somewhat of a loss as to what to play. I want to learn something, but I don't know just what...

I hope you will like what I've chosen as "interim" material.

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Salomé and a picture of La Trinité as it looked during Salomé's time there.