This piece brings me out of whatever slump I'm in. It is truly invigorating and beyond a shadow of a doubt, the best tribute piece ever written. Vincent Warnier slams it! I admire him greatly. I've been an organ music fanatic for many years and there is not another composition that moves me quite like this one.
If I remember my college music history courses correctly...the Litany is an old (Gregorian?) chant so both Dupre and Alain would have used that chant, hence the title - Dupre's "Litanie" and then the "nom d'Alain", the latter of which is expounded up on in Durufle's treatment of it.
Of course, it's a great work, but I would say that the Suite, Op. 5, is his "most substantial work". Anyone who has played it, and especially the toccata, would agree, I'm sure.
Very true. My friend Roger studied with the Durules in Paris for 2 years and Maurice agreed to teach (coach) him hood complete organ works. Roger said that was the only reason he agreed to teach the Toccata. Durufle hated the work--said the theme was boring and too long. Having played the Suite I am afraid I must agree. No amount of 5 -15 second reverb can make the work any easier to hear. And, YES!! it is a beast. My pen rips in the score are testimony to the frustration the Toccata creates. And yes...Akain was NOT Swiss. He was French through and through. I stayed at his sisters house in Paris (and for to play Debussy's Pleyel!). Marrie-Claaire would rise up if it were known to her he (they) were called Swisss. But since both countries produce decent to very fine Gruyere, everything should be fine without small correction.
It is for organists, especially those who favor French Romantic music...I doubt it will end up on the Billboard Hot 100 (but you never know, someone might just have to make a dance mix out of this)
Since when did Jehan Alain become "Swiss"? He was FRENCH and died fighting for his country with such bravery that the Germans against whom he had fought buried him with military honours. He was also awarded a posthumous Croix de Guerre. The performance by Vincent Warnier is decent enough but there are better interpretations on RU-vid notably by Lisa Hummel and Thomas Ospital.
Lisa is spectacular in this work. I can only say as a sort of defense for Vincent: with organ recording the should engineer is everything. AND the space and instrument. St Etienne du Mont is a wonderful organ and live it has presence of sound and is captivating. It does not record well in my experience.
Degustibus non disputandum est. I am obsessed with the work and I've listened to many recordings going back since the master himself wrote it. Professor Warnier's performance is unparalleled. Watch him play it at St. Sulpice on RU-vid. Not that I would have a single bad word about Thomas Ospital. He is every bit as brilliant. Michael Murray turned me on to the piece; he studied with Dupré.
