Intermezzo by Jehan Alain

"Intermezzo" by Jehan Alain (1911-1940), performed in Oct. 1972 by the composer's sister, reknowned organist Marie-Claire Alain. Intermezzo was composed in 1934-35, based on an earlier work for 2 pianos and bassoon. Its subtitle is "Fileuse" which means "spinning wheel." It is "an obstinato bathed in a climate of slightly-anxious dreams." I have therefore included pictures that evoke dreams, wheels and dreamy wheels. Intermezzo is performed on the Cavaille-Coll organ at St. Christophe Cathedral in Belfort, in Alsace France.

Jehan Alain was born into a musical family. His father Albert was an organist and composer, and Jehan and her sister Marie-Claire played on their father's 4-manual home organ. Jehan was appointed organist of Saint-Nicholas de Maisons Lafitte in Paris in 1935, and remained there for four years. He also played regularly at the Rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth synagogue. He died fighting the German invasion of France in 1940.

See my list of organ favorites with you tube links to hear them at
http://philosopherswheel.com/ericorgan.html

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jehan
• Alain
• Marie-Claire
• Intermezzo
• fileuse
• spinning
• wheel
• anxious
• dreams
• dream
• Ezekiel
• zodiac
• medicine
• dreamcatcher
• Cavaille-Coll
• organ
• Belfort
• France

[tvguido9]

I heard this wonderful recording on NPR's Pipe Dreams but was not able to find the lp. Thank you for sharing this incredible recording. I have heard several other efforts but Marie Claire plays it best. Notice the deep resonating tones that are not cut short. I love it .