Dominica in Palmis (Palm Sunday)

"Dominica in Palmis" seems to be one the least heard of all the works composed by Jean Langlais (1907-1991).

The work, which was published by Editions Musicalis de la Schola Cantorum in 1980, is dedicated to Francois Tricot.

For it's thematic material, it begins softly and mysteriously using the traditional gregorian Versicle and Response for a Solemn Procession, "Procedamus in pace".

The work gets louder as themes from the Palm Sunday Hymn, "Gloria laus" are used to an exciting, syncopated crescendo.

The first theme briefly returns, this time played on the Voix Celeste.

Again the louder themes return, and the music drives along to a great climax, before the "Procedamus" theme returns at the end, this time played on the Voix humaine.

The whole work is splashy and funky. I hope this is the way it's supposed to go! I've never heard it before... ;-)