Organ recital: James Higdon

Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 8:30 PM

Estimated Run Time: 1 hour

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

This recital celebrates the musical ties between France and America through a rich and evocative program. Two American works for organ are featured: Comes Autumn Time by Leo Sowerby, in Marcel Dupré's version, and a transcription of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. Louis Robillard, an influential teacher to many American organists, has produced a brilliant transcription of Fauré's Pelléas et Mélisande, which forms the heart of the recital. Two works by Jehan Alain, the Deuxième Fantaisie and the Litanies, pay tribute to the composer and his sister Marie-Claire Alain, a great teacher who made his music known in the United States. Finally, Marcel Dupré, who toured extensively in America, is featured once again with two rare works: the Lamento and the Toccata from Symphony No. 2.

Photo by ©DR

Program

Leo Sowerby (1895-1968)
Comes Autumn Time (Marcel Dupré's version)

Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Adagio for strings

Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Pelléas et Mélisande transcription by Louis Robillard

Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Deuxième fantaisie
Litanies

Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
Lamento
Toccata, excerpt from the Symphonie n° 2 en ut dièse mineur op. 26

Cast

James Higdon, grand organ

Download the program