Duruflé - Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain op. 7 (with score)
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- The Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain op. 7 by Maurice Duruflé, as played by Vincent Warnier at Duruflé's church of St. Étienne du Mont.
Prélude - 0:00
Fugue - 6:35
Maurice Duruflé, despite writing only a very small body of works, is one of the most important French sacred composers of the 20th century. His Requiem Op. 9 is his most famous work, but he also wrote an important body of solo organ music. He was also famous as an organist, being the titulaire of St. Étienne du Mont, as well as giving the premieres of important organ works such as Poulenc's Organ Concerto. His transcriptions of improvisations of his teacher, Charles Tournemire, are also popular concert repertoire today.
The Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain op. 7 is perhaps his most played, and most substantial, solo organ work. The piece was written in 1942 and dedicated to Jehan Alain, a Swiss organist and composer who was tragically killed in World War 2. In order to turn his name into a musical motif, Duruflé invents a musical 'alphabet': the letters a - h are the same as their note names, after which Duruflé just repeats the cycle, so i=a, j=b, k=c, l=d, m=e and n=f. Matching this to Alain's surname produces the melody fragment a-d-a-a-f, which Duruflé subjects to wide variation and development. In addition, in the Prélude Duruflé bases the second subject on (and later quotes) the theme of Alain's "Litanies", his most popular work. This piece is thus a touching tribute from one great master to another, sensitively played here by Duruflé's successor at St. Étienne du Mont, Vincent Warnier.
What a terrific score.
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.
Quelle belle musique mon Dieu. Merci.
Thank you for uploading this masterpiece with the score. Standing in awe.
It's very inspiring piece. Thank you for sharing!
Très belle interprétation d'une oeuvre magnifique et émouvante, sur l'orgue du compositeur.
Jehan Alain is born in France at St Germain en Laye close to Paris and not in Swiss as indicated.
Somptueux. Bravo
Some parts remember me the Cortege et Litanie by Duprè.
I definitely think its paraphrased.
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.
Brilliant
Amazing!
DuRufle would only publish works he considered perfect, or nearly so. This was pretty close.
correction *Duruflé*
To me, one of the more "listenable" pieces of Durufle's. A nice hook, as the kids would say.
What about Scherzo Op.2? 😉
Somehow the ending of the fuga reminds me a bit of the ending of his toccata.
Is the real version from 1942?
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.
Talking about inversion.
🤣 I know, isn't it delightful?!
Why isn't it famous?
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 UA-cam 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 UA-cam.
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.
The alain family organ ended up in Switzerland. Maybe that is the root of the mistake?