Magnificat in G Minor

Josse-François-Joseph Benaut (c.1743, Gullegem, Belgium - 13 July 1794, in what is now Place de la Nation, Paris) was a Belgian composer, organist and harpsichordist who was guillotined during the French Revolution. His father Charles Benaut was an organist in Wulveringen in Flanders. Josse-François-Joseph Benaut set himself up in Paris as a harpsichord tutor and in 1771 married the daughter of a Flemish merchant.

Benaut was completely unknown to me, and I have recorded the "Magnificat in G Minor" in its entirety for an upcoming review of the organ in the Scots Church in Melbourne sample set, produced by Inspired Acoustics.

Beginning with this next review, I hope to include a little "demo recital" in order to illustrate the various features of the organ, and the pieces that I'm uploading go to make up this "recital" program.

This is really quite a fascinating work. It's still French baroque, it is clearly moving into the classical. It's very attractive and individualistic, although not as elevated as works by Couperin, Dumage, etc.

I won't tell too much about the organ or the features at this point, and will save that for the review. I will list the time spots of the individual movements in the first message.

If you are interested in trying this piece, or any other of Benaut's works, you can find them here: http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Benaut,_Josse-François-Joseph

I'm going to mention something highly personal, and I hope you won't mind me doing so.

I'm supposed to have knee replacement surgery on June 18th, but will having various pre-op tests, a significant mass was discovered on my left lung. I don't have mention what this could mean...

I had a cat scan today, and will know my results on Thursday. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks to All in advance.