1e Symphonie Op. 14 - Prélude

Louis Vierne wrote his 1st Symphonie in 1899 while he was Widor's assistant at St Sulpice. The first movement (Prélude) is based on a dark and brooding chromatic theme and is formed over a D pedal-point. The massive crescendo demonstrates the ease with which dynamics were changed on these symphonic organs, and after the agitated middle section which is fueled by broken “tremulandi” chords, the work returns to its original somber theme.