Pastorale, Op. 101, No. 3

Albert Félix Joseph Renaud was born in Paris on July 6, 1851and died in Levallois-Perret on May 28, 1924.

During his studies at the Paris Conservatory , his teachers included Léo Delibes, César Franck, Charles Gounod, Camille Saint-Saëns and Jules Massenet .

He began his career as a church musician by succeeding his father as choirmaster of Saint-Sulpice .

After a brief stay in Rennes as organist of the cathedral, he returned to Paris to become the first titular organist of the great Fermis and Persil organ of the parish of Saint-François-Xavier in 1878 .

He left this post in 1891 to become the head of the Cavaillé-Coll in Saint-Germain-en-Laye until 1924, the year of his death. His direct successor was Albert Alain .

He is most well-known for this famous "Toccata in D Minor Op. 108, No. 1"), which was playedby the the dedicatee, Alexandre Guilmant, during his recitals at the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.

The "Quatre pièces d'orgue" were published in 1904, and are rather striking for their individuality. I use the word "individuality" because they are "typically French romantic," except they're different in a number of the details.

Since the four works combined are quite lengthy, I've chosen to upload them separately.

I chose the Steinmayer organ for these, rather than a French instrument, since I wanted to see how the second piece, "Angelus" would sound with an actual bell, instead of an 8' flute... ;-)

The third work in the collection, "Pastorale" is a darkly seductive, suave little piece. It made me think of elves scampering around the woods at midnight. :-) It is dedicated: "à mon ami Eugène Gigout".

I found this one to be the gem of the entire set.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Albert Renaud. Also attached are photos of some of the churches at which he served.

COMING TOMORROW:

Marche Funèbre, Op. 101, No. 4