Composer

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Jean Langlais

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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7:59

Jean Langlais was a French composer and organist who lived from 1907 to 1991. He was known for his prolific output of organ music, and his works are still performed and admired today. One of his most famous compositions is the Salve Regina for organ, Op. 191. The Salve Regina was composed in 1954 and premiered in the same year by Langlais himself at the Church of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris. It is a work in four movements, each of which is based on a different section of the Salve Regina hymn. The first movement, marked "Andante sostenuto," is based on the opening lines of the hymn: "Salve Regina, mater misericordiae." It begins with a solemn, sustained chord progression in the lower registers of the organ, which gradually builds in intensity as the melody enters in the upper registers. The movement is characterized by its rich harmonies and expressive use of the organ's tonal colors. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is based on the line "Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevae." It is a lively and rhythmic movement, with a playful melody that is passed between the hands and feet of the organist. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopation and its energetic, dance-like quality. The third movement, marked "Lento," is based on the line "O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria." It is a slow and contemplative movement, with a haunting melody that is played in the upper registers of the organ. The movement is characterized by its use of dissonance and its evocative, atmospheric quality. The fourth and final movement, marked "Allegro con fuoco," is based on the line "Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende." It is a triumphant and virtuosic movement, with a fast and complex melody that is played in the upper registers of the organ. The movement is characterized by its use of rapid arpeggios and its fiery, exuberant quality. Overall, the Salve Regina for organ, Op. 191, is a powerful and expressive work that showcases Langlais's mastery of the organ and his ability to create music that is both technically challenging and emotionally resonant. Its four movements are united by a common theme and a shared sense of reverence and devotion, making it a fitting tribute to the Virgin Mary and a testament to Langlais's skill as a composer.

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