Kalevi Kiviniemi plays Widor's 'Toccata' at St.Ouen, Rouen, France

Happy Birthday, Cavaillé-Coll Organ at Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France! Kalevi Kiviniemi joins the party and plays Toccata (from 5th Symphony) by Charles-Marie Widor. On 17 April 1890, Widor himself played this piece as the last one in organ's inauguration recital.

Organ in Saint-Ouen is one of those rare instruments from a French organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, that are remained untouched to our days, no alterations has been made. Many organ freaks also know this organ from its very loud reed stop, Bombarde 32, in Pedal, generating 16 Hz tones at its lowest. It sounds like a four-motor WWII bomber flies over! Still it blends perfectly with other stops. In video, there are some shots of Bombarde pipes behind the organ. They do not look special, but - listen...

This video was specially made and prepared for Youtube. Audio was taken from high quality multi channel recording setup, not from video camera's built-in microphone. The better your computer's audio system and especially the speakers and the subwoofer are, the better is the sound. Video was filmed in full HD, please enjoy the better picture quality that it offers (720p, 1080p). In 720p and 1080p versions also audio quality is better.

We really hope that you enjoy this special anniversary video!

Video, audio, editing and description by Mika Koivusalo.

[PR-dubq]

My deepest condolences to maestro Kiviniemi's family and friends due to his sudden passing. May Lord Jesus receive you home with this great toccata playing at the gates.

[Contre-Bombarde]

Ein bemerkenswerter Künstler ist viel zu früh von uns gegangen! Danke für die großartige Musik Herr Kiviniemi! Rest in peace🕯

[JouniSomeroMusic]

Kiitos Kalevi ystävyydestä ja elämyksistä joita meille teit, me kaipaamme sinua ja sinun suurta persoonaa, maailma on paljon köyhempi ilman sinua😢

[FraterSbeve]

This is my favourite performance of this piece. Here the composition, the instrument, the location and the performer, all sublime on their own, come together to form or rather reflect something where the sum is greater than its parts. This is conveyd beautifully by the video and its editing. This is a glimpse Beyond. Rest in peace, maestro!

[SordidGuy]

How could anyone on this planet dislike this!? Every single aspect was absolutely spot-on!!! I still have chills all over my body!

[marlopuk]

I was fortunate enough to hear it at St Sulpice two weeks ago, I was beside myself. I had to pinch myself, I just couldn't believe it I was so lucky to hear it being played there whilst visiting Paris.

[syhooverman]

32 foot Bombardes are usually laid flat due to lack of space in the organ chamber. Ive walked among them wearing ear defenders when the organ is being played at full power. The sheer power of the pedal bass nearly crushes your chest. Its awesome

[hughcapetien]

Nothing beats the Cavaille-Coll organ!

[drbobdrake]

Kalevi Ilmari Kiviniemi (30 June 1958 – 3 April 2024). R.I.P.

[grahaml]

This man understands the organ he is playing on and the acoustics it is playing into. That's why his tempos is just right here. Well done, Sir!

[caseyflorida]

This instrument is one of the greatest organ masterpieces of all time. The sound of full organ at St. Ouen always brings goosebumps to my body and tears to my eyes. It's out of this world. Aristide Cavaille-Coll was a genius at his craft.

[bartbaudonck]

Heard this in the Dom of Regensburg in August 2021. The setting and incredible sound gave me goosebumps and tears in my eyes... If this is the last thing I hear in my life, I die happily...

[albertpeckham]

This instrument is one of the great monuments of organs.  I almost "pee" my pants when I hear this  organ.  I've been so blessed to have heard this organ at least two times in the last 20 years and each time I hear it I swear I've heard it for the first time!

[khajomusic]

This is probably the best organ in the world. I'd be lying if I said it was my favorite organ, but it is undeniably perfect.

[anna-kaisapaaskyla]

You don´t see many Finnish people here. But when you do see and hear them.
They are always brilliant.
Kiitos, Kalevi Kiviniemi, meinasi henki lähtä kun katsoin ja kuuntelin.

[williamalston]

Now that's a 32' BOMBARDE.  This organ is the best I've heard on YOUTUBE in every one of its video postings.  It must be incredible to hear in person, and probably even more when you play it.  This performance is just AWESOME!  Perfectly played! Bravo to the organist!  I agree with the person who said the balcony must shake when that organ begins to thunder.  This organ makes the sound of full organ gorgeous.

[ernestfrancis]

Sometimes a musical composition can reach your soul. This is one of those numbers, for me at least.

[linddaipauls]

Nothing like "a true recital". Sit down with the clothes on your back and what's in your hands, feet and especially your heart.

[krischan]

The basses and the echoes are monumental. What an organ, what a cathedral, what a piece of music and what an organist!

[pernillelouiseboser]

Wow, he makes the playing looks so enormously easy! And what a fantastic registration!