A decade ago, Richard Spotts, an organist from Doylestown, started a very special journey: to perform the entire “L’Orgue mystique” by Charles Tournemire (1870–1939) — a fifteen-hour, two hundred fifty-three movement work that is rarely heard in its entirety. This journey took Richard across the United States and Canada, where he performed portions of “L’Orgue mystique” at numerous notable colleges, cathedrals, parishes, and other religious institutions. 

Since then, he has given two complete performances of the work. Most recently, this past fall he performed the work in a concert spanning ten days at churches throughout Pittsburgh, hosted by Duquesne University and the Pittsburgh and Duquesne Chapters of the American Guild of Organists. 

Charles Tournemire’s “L’Orgue mystique” represents a pivotal point in the history of liturgical organ music. This magnum opus, composed from 1927 to 1932, is comprised of fifty-one Offices and employs over three hundred Gregorian chants spanning the Liturgical Calendar.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Tournemire’s death. Though most known for “L’Orgue mystique,” his compositions also span opera, chamber works, symphonies, and piano solos. To honor the artist around the anniversary of his death, Richard is bringing his skills to Philadelphia during Lent at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill. 

His next performance of the complete “L’Orgue mystique” will be taking place during Lent, with a prelusive introductory recital taking place at Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Lansdale. That event will be held on February 9th and is hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. 

FULL DETAILS: 

March 2nd - April 1st Monday through Wednesday throughout Lent and April 6th and 7th at 7:30PM

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Chestnut Hill

22 East Chestnut Hill Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118 

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