Jehan Alain | 1911-1940 | Choral Works

Jehan Alain would have become one of the most famous and important French composers of the twentieth century, had he not been killed in World War II at the age of 29. This video features four of his a cappella choral works, along with some background about the composer and the pieces of music.

Voices of Musica Sacra, led by conductor John Kendall Bailey, will present performances on October 22 and 23, 2011 that are devoted entirely to Alain's music to celebrate his centenary this year. As well as these four choral works, there will be several organ and chamber works, giving a sense of the full spectrum of Alain's musical voice.

The performances featured in this video were sung by:

- Chanson à Bouche Fermée: Camerata Saint-Louis; Georges Guillard, director

- O Salutaris (de Dugay): Marie Claire Alain, Ensemble Vocal Sequenza 9.3, Catherine Simonpietri.

- Fantaisie pour Chœur à Bouche Fermée: Camerata Saint-Louis; Georges Guillard, director.

- Complainte de Jean Renaud: Marie Claire Alain, Ensemble Vocal Sequenza 9.3, Catherine Simonpietri.

Category:

Music

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• Jehan
• Alain
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• Voices
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• Musica
• Sacra
• John
• Kendall
• Bailey
• french
• composers
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• choir
• choral
• music

[efdiamond771]

As one who's sung in choruses for many years, I can tell you that this music would have been a joy to sing! I will pass this on to someone in the chorus I last sang with, the Dessoff Choirs. How lucky we are to have these wonderful pieces, sketches and a hint of who Jehan Alain was and who he would have likely become.

[OrchestrationOnline]

Nice video, John!