'Livre d'orgue de Montreal': Classical French organ performance practice

In 1979, the Livre d'orgue de Montreal was rediscovered. This important manuscript contains 398 hitherto unknown pieces of classical French organ music. Sixteen pieces are identified as works by Nicolas LeBegue (1630--1702); the remaining 382 pieces are "anonymous." This study focuses on performance practice issues of the Mass in G major, one of the anonymous masses from the manuscript.;French organs and organ music reached their highest point during the classical period, roughly from the second half of the seventeenth century to the end of the eighteenth century. During this time, the music and the instrument had the closest relationship ever, and this relationship resulted in a unique synthesis. In order to understand the Mass in G, the characteristics of classical organs and French organ masses are discussed in Chapter II. Next, I examine and compare the critical edition with the manuscript. In Chapter IV, I discuss three performance practice issues raised by the Mass in G: registration and musical styles, ornamentation, and rhythmic alterations. In the prefaces to their organ books, Livres d'orgue, almost all representative classical French composers provided registrational directions and suggestions for the interpretation of their music. These theoretical sources of the classical period provide a firm foundation for the study.;In its musical styles and structure, the Mass in G major exhibits the distinctive characteristics of classical French organ music. As liturgical music, the Mass contains eighteen short versets composed to fit the alternatim practice. Within the boundary of the organ mass, the Mass in G displays a great variety of characteristic organ sounds and musical styles. The influence of secular elements is evident. The Mass reveals the stylistic change in French organ music from the strict polyphony of the pre-classical period to the homophonic and melodious style of classical music. Alongside the colorful sound, highly ornamented melodies and rhythmic subtlety enhance the unique beauty of this French music which continue to enchant the senses.