Flemish Organ Heritage Ignace Michiels

• André De Vaere (1890 - 1914): Preludium en Fuga:
• 1 Vaere: Preludium en Fuga: I. Preludium 03:31
• 2 Vaere: Preludium en Fuga: II. Fuga 07:32
• Edgar Tinel (1854 - 1912): Organ Sonata, Op. 29:
• 3 Tinel: Organ Sonata, Op. 29: I. Allegro con moto 07:30
• 4 Tinel: Organ Sonata, Op. 29: II. Andante sostenuto 05:09
• 5 Tinel: Organ Sonata, Op. 29: III. Allegro moderato 07:48
• Joseph Callaerts (1830 - 1901): Petite Fantaisie, Op. 22 No. 2:
• 6 Callaerts: Petite Fantaisie, Op. 22 No. 2 07:12
• Herman Roelstraete (1925 - 1985): Toccatella con Fughetta on 'Salve Regina', Op. 28:
• 7 Roelstraete: Toccatella con Fughetta on 'Salve Regina', Op. 28 03:46
• Flor Peeters (1903 - 1986): Concert Piece, Op. 52a:
• 8 Peeters: Concert Piece, Op. 52a 07:02
• Camil Van Hulse (1897 - 1988): Symphonia Mystica, Op. 53:
• 9 Hulse: Symphonia Mystica, Op. 53: I. Prelude 03:49
• 10 Hulse: Symphonia Mystica, Op. 53: II. Méditation 05:08
• 11 Hulse: Symphonia Mystica, Op. 53: III. Scherzo 06:40
• 12 Hulse: Symphonia Mystica, Op. 53: IV. Intermezzo 04:16
• 13 Hulse: Symphonia Mystica, Op. 53: V. Finale 06:37
• Total Runtime 01:16:00

Info for Flemish Organ Heritage

Every country has a unique tradition of organ music, shaped alongside the instrument’s development through the centuries. Yet, much of this organ literature remains less familiar to wider audiences. To celebrate the restoration of the Klais organ at the Cathedral of Our Saviour in Bruges, Titular Organist Ignace Michiels presents a rich selection of Flemish organ works spanning approximately a century, from 1884 to 1961. Beginning with the warm Romantic tones of Joseph Callaerts, Michiels invites listeners to explore the works of composers such as André De Vaere, Edgar Tinel, Flor Peeters, Camiel Van Hulse, and Herman Roelstraete, while also demonstrating the splendors of this remarkable Klais organ.

Almost 18 months after the inauguration of the new (2023) / old (1935) Klais organ, cathedral organist Ignace Michiels is now presenting the first recording. After the original plan of a Franck recording for the Franck Year 2022 could no longer be realised due to delays in the project schedule, the new recording now fortunately offers a highly interesting repertoire because it is much less frequently heard. A cross-section through 100 years of Flemish organ romanticism from around 1860 to around 1960 brings numerous new discoveries and impressively demonstrates the variety of colours of the great instrument. The Franck recording will follow soon.

Michiel's masterful playing technique is entirely at the service of the works presented and never becomes an end in itself. The excellent recording technique does the rest to make this new album a real pleasure.

Ignace Michiels, organ

Ignace Michiels
(°1963) studied organ, piano and harpsichord at the Academy of Bruges (Belgium), his hometown.

In 1986 he was prizewinner at the Institute Lemmens in Louvain. He successively improved his talent as a musician with Robert Anderson at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, at the Royal Academy of Brussels with Herman Verschraegen and with Odile Pierre at the Paris National Conservatoire where he obtained the prestigious Prix d' Excellence. He also obtained the Higher Diploma of organ music at the Royal Academy of Ghent.

Ignace Michiels is organ professor at the Faculty of Music of University College Ghent. He also teaches organ at the Academy of Music in Bruges and is titular-organist at the St Saviour’s Cathedral in this city, where he organizes the yearly international organ festival.

His repertoire includes the complete works for organ of Bach, Franck, Mendelssohn, Dupré and Messiaen, the symphonies of Widor and Vierne, the organ sonatas of Guilmant and Rheinberger.

As an organist, he gives concerts both as a soloist and with orchestra or choir in many places around the world. Furthermore he is a well-seen guest in the jury for international organ contests and professor in workshops and masterclasses.

Booklet for Flemish Organ Heritage