It's time to wish you all a Merry Christmas.
I also wanted to pay homage to my master and friend Pierre Cortelezzi who was my teacher at Conservatory and organist of the Cathedral in Nancy (east of France). He gave many concerts here and abroad, mostly in Germany. He knew all jazz melodies from 50's and 60's and played all Liszt's transcendental studies for the piano. He was a very closed friend of Gaston Litaize, and Pierre Cochereau had great respect for him. He was also a very discreet musician, far from intrigues and always giving priority to religious services at the cathedral rather than to his recitals. He was gifted with a prodigious technique and he improvised with formidable ease in different styles. His humility matched his talent. He didn't composed so much : a terrific toccata, and these Christmas works on german songs for Christmas (Deutsche Weihnachtslieder).
I'll play these works for Christmas service tonight.
The great organ of the Regensburg Cathedral is perfect for his music. The use of the bell in the first piece is not written in the score, but I'm convinced that he would have used it.
1. Leise rieselt der Schnee
2. Kling, Glöckschen, klingeling, klingeling
3:08
3. Schlaf mein Kindelein / Lasst uns froh und munter ..
5:53
4. Süsser die Glocken nie klingen
9:46