2eme Fantaisie

The 2nd Fantaisie is like a summary of Jehan Alain varied moods :

- dreamy, almost crepuscular in shades of grey
0:00 or 1:41 and 5:03

- tense and breathless with fast ostinatos ( 2:50) bursting into an exuberant climax ( 3:33)

- fond of exotic colors as the recitative at 1:17 and 2:28, which sounds much as a North-African traditional melody.

- showing restraint in the use of heavy grumbling basses ; here, the pedal registrations are 8' most of the time.

The Steinmeyer provides all the array of tones and various colors needed for this fantaisie. Tonally, this Steinmeyer is in some way a parent of the organ of Saint-Ferjeux (at Besançon) which Alain liked much and where he went often for playing and composing.

Definitely not easy-listening, but IMHO worth the effort !