Composer

:

Jehan Alain

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Chorale

Compose Date

:

1935

Publication Date

:

1938

First Performance

:

Mar 18, 1936

Average_duration

:

3:20

Jehan Alain's 'Choral phrygien' is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that was composed in 1935. It is a work for organ and is considered to be one of Alain's most famous compositions. The piece was premiered in Paris in 1937, and it has since become a staple of the organ repertoire. The 'Choral phrygien' is a single-movement work that is characterized by its use of the Phrygian mode, which is a musical mode that was commonly used in ancient Greek music. The piece is also notable for its use of a choral-like texture, which gives it a sense of grandeur and majesty. The piece begins with a slow and mournful introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The organ plays a series of chords that are reminiscent of a funeral march, and this is followed by a series of descending scales that create a sense of sadness and loss. As the piece progresses, the tempo gradually increases, and the organ begins to play a series of arpeggios that are reminiscent of a choir singing a hymn. The Phrygian mode is used throughout the piece, giving it a sense of ancientness and timelessness. The climax of the piece comes towards the end, when the organ plays a series of chords that are reminiscent of a choir singing a final Amen. The piece then ends with a slow and mournful coda that brings the work to a close. Overall, the 'Choral phrygien' is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that showcases Jehan Alain's skill as a composer. Its use of the Phrygian mode and choral-like texture give it a sense of grandeur and majesty, while its mournful introduction and coda create a sense of sadness and loss. It is a work that is sure to move anyone who hears it.

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