As many of you probably know, the 100th birthday of the great French composer Jehan Alain is coming up in less than a month (February 3). This special occasion has prompted me to learn "Litanies" this year, one of my favorite pieces of all time. I absolutely love French organ music and Alain is certainly no exception, the music is exciting and dramatic. Here is the official website:
http://www.jehanalain.com/
Is anyone else doing anything special to commemorate the anniversary?
There are a number of celebrations already programmed in Romainmotier, Switzerland where the Albert Alain organ has been superbly restored. If you're after more specific details, you might like to try contacting Guy Bovet via the Association Jehan Alain website (and I am immensely privileged to be able to be in attendance there later this year with my wife where the two of us will present a short recital!).
Jehan Alain has long been one of the most influential composers and figures in my own musical life and I also intend presenting a recital locally along with (hopefully) getting some other groups to perform some of his chamber and choral works.
I have also noticed on the web (and am heartened to see) a number of recitals across the USA and Europe dedicated to his centenary - as there should be! Thanks for starting this thread and keep up the interest in this very special composer.
Music is made to transform the states of the soul, for an hour or an instant (J. Alain)
That's great! I'm not going to have a recital but hey that's what I have a YouTube channel for. I might learn some other small works in the next few weeks like Le Jardin Suspendu since it's free from the public domain. Hopefully lots of people will be taking advantage of this!
Mark
Hoping to be able to YouTube-ize () Litanies and the Variations on a theme by Clement Janequin. Maybe I'll do Le Jardin Suspendu also but time might be an issue as I'm doing all of this during my practice time before church. Whatever I do I'll post on here!
Mark.. what organ are you playing with the Toccata you posted?
" The essance of reproduction,to feel and re-create that which was felt and impared by the creater,does not exclude- within natural limitations-the assertion of creative power" - Dr. Hugo Goldschmidt.
I wish you the Best for each day, now and always.
Bill
Do you mean on YouTube? That is at Stanford Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Stanford, Kentucky, where I work. It is a 20-stop Pilcher with reservicing from Miller (both in Louisville). I have some complaints but it's a great organ. The only thing I'd like to see changed is it has no mixtures.Originally Posted by wljmrbill
I played an all-Alain church service on Sunday! It was great. I got Litanies recorded and after some editing I plan to put it on YouTube, symbolically on Thursday, which is his birthday. Not the greatest sound quality but I'm satisfied with my playing. Also expect Variations on Janecquin and Ballad in the Phrygian mode, however this Sunday I ran out of time before church and there's people talking in the background. So I plan to do those pieces next week.
Look forward to hearing your piece Mark
teddy
I haven't been here for a few days, but today was the obvious time to see if there had been any additions here.
Mark, great minds think alike!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1uQvUJXGTA
I hope this is a worthy tribute.
Happy 100th birthday Jehan! You have never ceased to inspire and enthrall my attention.
Matt
Music is made to transform the states of the soul, for an hour or an instant (J. Alain)
That is one fantastic video Matt, very profound text, and that cute little ?? working the bellows, fantastic. I assume that you were the organist?
Elves or goblins perhaps?).
Aye, that was me playing (apologies for the slip-ups, but I'm still quite happy with that concert - I was certainly quite emotional by the end when I came to playing it).
Music is made to transform the states of the soul, for an hour or an instant (J. Alain)
Matt, I wish to echo Colin's thanks to you in sharing that link. In addition to being a great composer, Mr.Alain was a war hero, which is why he died at such a young age--29. May he rest in peace.I haven't been here for a few days, but today was the obvious time to see if there had been any additions here.
Mark, great minds think alike!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1uQvUJXGTA
I hope this is a worthy tribute.
Happy 100th birthday Jehan! You have never ceased to inspire and enthrall my attention.
Matt
Throughly enjoyable Matt. Thank you
teddy
Great work, Matt! I subscribed to you btw.
Here's my rendition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7RxhzdamJw
WVBoy25401, that was awesome. Thank you so much for your playing and sharing that link!Great work, Matt! I subscribed to you btw.
Here's my rendition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7RxhzdamJw
Last edited by White Knight; Feb-04-2011 at 02:32.
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