Vierne Carillon de Westminster op. 54 no. 6

Roger Sayer plays the Carillon de Westminster op. 54 no. 6 by Louis Vierne (1870-1937). The Carillon de Westminster is a fantasia on the Westminster Chimes, played from the Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster. It is the sixth piece in the third suite of Vierne’s four-suite set 24 Pieces de Fantaisie, first published in 1927. It is believed that Vierne first heard the tune from his friend Henry Willis, the celebrated English organ builder, but unfortunately misheard the theme and transcribed the second quarter incorrectly. However, a few musicologists argue that Vierne altered the melody to suit his own musical purposes, as the 'correct' melody is used at moments throughout the piece.  A carillon is a musical instrument which is usually housed in the belfry of a church, cathedral or town hall, and consists of at least 23 cast bronze bells. These bells are played from a keyboard with large stick-like keys (called batons) which are played with the fists, and by pressing the keys of a pedalboard with the feet. 2020 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Louis Vierne. Look out for more exciting videos on this theme later in the year! Please like, share and subscribe and follow @rogersayerorga1 on Twitter.