DCOrganAddict's video: FILSELL @ Liverpool Metropolitan: Cochereau s Improvisation on Adeste Fideles

Pierre Cochereau, Notre Dame's organist for 29 years until his death in 1984, improvised this series of variations on the old hymn tune for the cathedral's Christmas Eve Mass in 1970. It was recorded at its single performance. Jeremy Filsell, Washington National Cathedral's Artist in Residence, transcribed it, & performs it here in a recording made in Liverpool in March 2000. Liverpool's Roman Catholic cathedral was initially planned as a monumental project -- intended to be the largest cathedral in the British Isles. Construction on the crypt started in 1933, but World War II and the ensuing financial devastation of Europe forced a drastic curtailment in plans. The down-scaled -- but still impressive -- building was completed in 1967, and the IV/88 JW Walker instrument was installed at that time. Thanks to Martin Doering of Die Orgelseite for many of the pictures.