Chant donné, JA 37, AWV 33, 1932

This 'song given' is one of a few pieces published by Universal Edition, Vienna 1980 (and now Bärenreiter 2012). Peter Dyke (Hereford Cathedral) likens the melody to one given to Conservatoire students to harmonise in four parts. It contains some amazing turns of harmony, jazz-influenced and immediately recognisable as Alain. I have interpreted the phrasing in a way that brings out the repetative rising tone figure and I hope listeners will forgive the tierce de Picardi on the final chord.