Chant de Paix

Jean Langlais (1907 - 1991)

French organist from Brittany who became blind at the age of three. Studied at the Institute for the Blind in Paris and then with Dupre and Tournemire. Eventually became organist at St. Clotilde, where Tournemire and Franck had been organists.

Inspired by medieval works, gregorian chant and Breton folk songs.

This work is from Neuf Pieces (1945). There are three 'chants' in the book. This one means 'Song of Peace'. There are long held chords on the Viol d'Gambe and Voix celeste, with the pedal using a Flute 4'. The right hand plays on the Bourdon 8' to start with before switching to the Flute Douce 4' later in the work. It is a rather lovely piece.

Luckily, John Langlais recorded this piece on the organ of St. Clotilde. This influenced me a lot in how to tackle this piece and gives an insight into how Langlais interprets other similar pieces of his.

I believe this recording utilizes the 'rear ranks' option. I have adjusted the volume level in Audacity as it was quite low.

Hope you enjoy.
John