Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris (Between the ox and the grey donkey)

Frère René (né Maurice Alfred) Hermans (b. 7th Dec 1915, Liège; d. 11th Jan 2002, Ciney, Namur) who taught in Carlsbourg in the
southern Luxembourg region of Belgium. He studied with A. Toulmonde in Kreps and with P. de Maleingreau in Brussels. He was at one time administrator of the Union Wallonne des Organistes.

This work, "Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" (Between the ox and the grey donkey) is described the composer as "Petite Variations", of which there are 6, plus the theme.

The work is dedicated: "A Edouard Senny".

Registrations are given, and I've followed them as closely as will work well on this particular organ.

For the final variation, "Plein jeu" is called for. I don't think it was intended to be as in the classic French works, so, I chose a semi-full organ, where I did combine mixtures and reeds. I don't know if this is "correct," but there is a certain "oddness" in the sound.

Maybe it should have been reeds without the mixtures, or like an ancient "Plein jeu" with mixtures on the manuals and the 8' reed in the Pedal. :-)

The translation of the first verse is as follows:

Between the ox and the grey donkey
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.

These are very rare works are in manuscript, and I'm not able to attach them at this time.