Sebastian Heindl plays Dukas, Alain, Messiaen and Duruflé

The 17-year-old organist Sebastian Heindl presents his new transcription of the ballet ‘La Péri’ for the organ, which was originally written for orchestra by French impressionist composer Paul Dukas. By transcribing this monumental work, Heindl shows the individual ways, in which three of Dukas’s students developed further their teacher’s understanding of music. All of them were organists: Jehan Alain, Olivier Messiaen and Maurice Duruflé.

The performer comes to the surprising conclusion that, unlike it is generally assumed, there was no abrupt change of style at the transition from romanticism to modernism, but instead a steady artistic metamorphosis which can be found in the teacher-student lineages. This exemplifies Paul Dukas’s relevance as a great teacher who had a significant impact on twentieth century music – literally in the sense of the famous imperative attributed to Richard Wagner: Children, create something new!

The young organist Sebastian Heindl received his musical training as a member of the Thomanerchor Leipzig. He has won several competitions for young organists, including the nationwide ‘Jugend musiziert’ competitions in 2012 and 2015.

Sebastian Heindl

Organ – Journal für die Orgel (März 2016, Stefan Kagl)

„Authentisch, technisch perfekt, feurig – Bravissimo für dieses mitreißende Gesamtkunstwerk!“