Peter Stevens plays works by three towering figures of the French organ world. Charles-Marie Widor’s Symphonie Romane is a radiant meditation on the Gregorian chants of Easter Sunday, and the Fantaisie-Choral from Tournemire’s L’Orgue Mystique is a deeply spiritual reflection on two of the best-known chants of Pentecost: Veni Sancte Spiritus and Veni Creator Spiritus. Two contrasting pieces by Marcel Dupré bookend the programme: his Cortège et Litanie is probably his best-loved work for the organ, while the uninhibited confidence of the Deuxième Symphonie shows a different side of the composer’s personality; its visceral and hard-hitting textures given electrifying voice by the Ruffatti organ of Buckfast Abbey.

‘Stevens’ sense of the symphony’s architecture is…supported by a fine technique, a sumptuous organ and a glorious acoustic. This is a very impressive recorded performance indeed… A certain impudence with a slightly sarcastic edge informs his superbly perky performance of the second movement, while the swashbuckling Toccata with which the Symphony concludes comes across full of swagger and self-confidence… A super performance to round off a really super disc.’ (MusicWeb International)

★★★★★  ‘I heartily recommend this recording to people who, like me are partial to French organ music from this era.’ (Organists’ Review)

★★★★  ‘Buckfast Abbey’s Ad Fontes label adds to its early lustre with Peter Stevens’s richly – in places, rapturously – played tribute to three ‘pivotal’ figures of French romanticism.’ (Choir & Organ)

‘Widor’s treatments of these chants across four movements are nothing short of ingenious, and Peter Stevens’s excellent playing gives them breath and space… Coupled with an excellent recording, there is a real sense of sitting in a Parisian church… Anyone unable to take the Eurostar for a Parisian organ binge (with or without tonic wine) could do worse than snap up this CD.’ (RSCM Church Music Quarterly)

‘The Dupré reveals the player’s superb technique, especially taking into account the considerable technical challenges the work presents... The performance of the Toccata is quite dazzling!’ (Cathedral Music Magazine)

‘The repertoire—imposing works of late Romantic music—calls for big treatment and receives it. The organ and organist make it come vibrantly alive. The room adds rich and reverberant acoustics, and the production gives us an up-close perspective on the sound… There is an illuminating precision to Stevens’s playing…without compromising the melodic element, he highlights the rich and difficult harmonies… The packaging of the CD is gorgeous—perhaps the nicest in my collection… The cover art is beautiful. Highly recommended.‘ (American Organist)