Offertory on "Adeste Fideles"

Clément Loret (1833-1909) descended from a family that had already for two centuries on end produced organ builders and organists. He received his first music lessons from his father Joseph-Jean, and already as a seven-year-old he played small pieces during Mass, while one year later he was able to take on an entire Mass. In 1846 his father was appointed as organist in Mons, so Clément continued his studies with Jules Denefve, director of the local conservatory. In 1851 he was admitted at the Brussels Conservatory, where he obtained a first prize diploma for organ in 1854. He became organist of the Panthéon, the parish church of Suresnes (near Paris) and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. In 1857 he was engaged as organ teacher at the ‘École de Musique religieuse’ of Niedermeyer. In this capacity he played an important part in the development of the French organ school, counting among his pupils Gabriël Fauré, Léon Boëllmann and Eugène Gigout. That same year at the suggestion of Niedermeyer he became organist of Saint-Louis d’Antin, a position he held at least until 1880.

He composed many organ works, as well as works for the harmonium and piano music, songs and liturgical works, the majority published on his own account. The final piece of his composer's career is formed by Les Fêtes religieuses for organ, a collection of pieces ready for use at the major liturgical celebrations of the year.

I found this nice little "etude" in the collection of "Christmas Music for the Organ" edited by William C. Carl. I've done many of the pieces from this book, and all of them are worth a look.

I call this an "etude" because of the almost continuous legato thirds in the right hand in the middle section. If you take this at a fairly brisk tempo, it's a bit tricky. :-)

The setting itself is quite "standard," but still useful and not without appeal.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Clément Loret and several of the Church of Saint-Louis d’Antin.

Peace to All!