Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antonio de Almeida
Charles Tournemire (1870-1939) was a French composer and organist, considered one of the greatest organists of his time. For more on Tournemire, see the description of my score video of his sixth symphony (youtube.com/watch?v=K_2T7QW5EjQ) and my blog (unknowncomposers.org/2018/11/04/the-journey-begins/).
Tournemire's single-movement fourth symphony of 1912-13, subtitled "Pages symphoniques," was written during a visit to the region of Brittany in northwestern France. The picturesque Breton seashores provided regular inspiration for the composer, and they are certainly reflected in the lushly orchestrated melodies that can be heard throughout the piece - especially in the sublime organ part about halfway through. This symphony is a classic work of Tournemire's middle period; the form and the atmosphere it creates are reminiscent of César Franck, but the harmonic language makes extensive use of the whole-tone scale.
I have uploaded the score of this piece to IMSLP here (imslp.org/wiki/Category:Tournemire,_Charles) under "Symphony No.4, Op.44".
Performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antonio de Almeida
Charles Tournemire (1870-1939) was a French composer and organist, considered one of the greatest organists of his time. For more on Tournemire, see the description of my score video of his sixth symphony (youtube.com/watch?v=K_2T7QW5EjQ) and my blog (unknowncomposers.org/2018/11/04/the-journey-begins/).
Tournemire's single-movement fourth symphony of 1912-13, subtitled "Pages symphoniques," was written during a visit to the region of Brittany in northwestern France. The picturesque Breton seashores provided regular inspiration for the composer, and they are certainly reflected in the lushly orchestrated melodies that can be heard throughout the piece - especially in the sublime organ part about halfway through. This symphony is a classic work of Tournemire's middle period; the form and the atmosphere it creates are reminiscent of César Franck, but the harmonic language makes extensive use of the whole-tone scale.
I have uploaded the score of this piece to IMSLP here (imslp.org/wiki/Category:Tournemire,_Charles) under "Symphony No.4, Op.44".
