Notre Dame defends new organist
NewsMonseigneur Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, Rector-archpriest of Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris, has responded to a petition by eminent organists that criticizes the engagement without trial of four young musicians.
He said that a competition for the posts would not have been ‘dignified’ or apprpriate.
He particularly defended the choice of Thibault Fajoles (pictured), 21. He had ‘proved himself for five years at Saint-Germain-L’Auxerrois where his musical competence was never called into question’. The Rector added: ‘I understand that many others are unhappy not to have been chosen’.
Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.
Ah, il est beau et jeune.
But youth and beauty have always conferred a competitive advantage, no different from the collective idolatry of young good looking male conductors from Salonen, to Dudamel, to Nezet-Seguin, to Makela….
Apparently, despite being only 21 years of age, he has already been an organist for five years. I have never heared him, so I can’t comment on the quality of his play. How about the benefit of the doubt and a bit of patience to hear from people who can comment on his musical abilities? As for the defect of young age: that will be cured one day at a time…
Bravo. Thibault had already proven his musical abilities through his previous position (a reminder of how François Couperin achieved a similar position at a very young age). And actually, this is entirely different than how conductors these days are being chosen for their youth and good looks. When you attend a performance of organ music (especially in a church) you rarely even catch a glimpse of the performer. Organists are perhaps the least visible of all musicians, and to hold your attention they must truly have an incredible command of the music. I highly recommend hearing Thibault live!
Yes, yes, you’ve written enough promotional stuff here, we get it, you have an opinion, you’re this guy’s friend or sth, buzz off
Odd. A competition was deemed both dignified and appropriate in 1900, resulting in the unanimous recommendation of the jury for the appointment of Louis Vierne as titular organist of Notre-Dame. I wonder why the situation is different now.
Well the Archpriest’s position, set out in the article (and mistranslated here): They wanted Thierry Escaich, so no concours there.
And then they wanted a young organist to complete the team. You can’t run a concours for 1/2 posts and restrict it to young organists, so voilà.
Handsome chappie!
1st time in hundreds of years there has not been a concours, along with two fantastic organists fired; musical authoritarianism. There should be an open concours.