National French Centenary Celebration of the Birth of (1911–1940) James David Christie

The beautiful plaque above the Alain home at 46, rue du Pologne in Saint-Germain- Marie-Claire Alain (seated center) surrounded on her left by her daughter, Aurélie en-Laye: “Here lived from 1910 to 1972 a family of musicians: , organist Decourt-Gommier, her granddaughter, Laetitia Decourt, on her right, and her grand- and composer, and his children Jehan, Odile, Olivier, and Marie-Claire.” The plaque son, Henri Decourt, standing was made possible by “Les Amis du Vieux Saint-Germain.”

national French celebration took mony at the grave of Jehan Alain, located correspondence and Georges Guillard Lynne Davis (USA), John Grew (Cana- A place March 24–27, 2011 in Saint- in the military section of the cemetery in spoke of the “hidden” orchestra of Jehan da), James Higdon (USA), Jon Laukvik Germain-en-Laye, a Parisian suburb west Le Pecq, a small town next to Saint-Ger- Alain. Luc Antonini spoke on his new or- (Germany), and Wim Viljoen (Republic of and hometown of the composer main where Jehan had lived with his wife chestration of Alain’s Trois Danses, which of South Africa)—all were students of Jehan Alain, to honor the centenary of his Madeleine and his children. After the we were to hear later that evening. Vin- Marie-Claire Alain, except for Mr. Bou- birth. The splendid event was organized war, Jehan’s body was exhumed from his cent Warnier gave a very interesting talk vard. Each spoke about Alain’s music in by Dr. Aurélie Decourt, Jehan Alain’s grave in Saumur and moved to Le Pecq. on Maurice Durufl é’s large orchestral their countries and its reception from the niece and daughter of the celebrated Madeleine is buried near her husband in work, Trois Danses, which we were also early 20th century through the present. French organist, Marie-Claire Alain, in the plot of her parents. On their way to to hear that same evening. Jean-Baptiste conjunction with the city of Saint-Ger- the cemetery, the participants passed the Robin’s talk, entitled “La griffe Jehan Friday evening, March 25 main-en-Laye, the Chevalier family (for house where the young married couple Alain,” was followed by another round- Friday evening, March 25, was the the performance of Maurice Durufl é’s had lived. table discussion with Michel Bouvard long-awaited premiere of the new or- music), the association Arts, cultures et (France), James David Christie (USA), chestration by organist Luc Antonini foi, the General Council of the Depart- International Colloquium “Music ment of the Yvelines, the National Mu- and Arts in the 20s and 30s” seum of Archeology, SACEM—Société Two days were devoted to lectures des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de as part of the international colloquium musique (the French association entrust- entitled “Music and Arts in the 20s and ed with the rights of composers, authors, 30s.” Aurélie Decourt opened the event and publishers), the Société Générale- on Friday, March 25 at the Salle du Direction régionale de Saint-Germain- Musée d’Archéologie Nationale in the en-Laye, and Les Amis du Vieux Saint- Saint-Germain Chateau with a marvel- Germain (an organization dedicated to ous lecture on Jehan Alain’s sources of preserving and celebrating the history inspiration. Guy Bovet spoke about the and arts of Saint-Germain-en-Laye). harmonium of Albert Alain (which had The event was listed among the national been housed in the very room where the 2011 celebrations of the French Ministry lecture was given) and the last modifi - of Culture and was sponsored under the cations on the Alain house organ, now international patronage of Marie-Claire located at Romainmôitier, . Alain, Gilles Cantagrel, James David Ton van Eck spoke of the organ that Christie, John Grew, Georges Guillard, Jehan Alain knew during his lifetime. and Philippe Lefebvre. Fabienne Stahl, who is organizing the catalog of the complete works of Mau- Thursday, March 24 rice Denis, spoke of Denis’s use of the The event opened on Thursday eve- organ in his painting and showed that ning, March 24, with a joyous ceremony: Denis used Marie-Odile Alain, Jehan’s the placing of a plaque on the home of sister who was killed in a mountain ac- the Alain family at 46, rue du Pologne, cident at a very young age, as his model AUSTRIAN ORGAN MUSIC by the mayor of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. for an organist in one of his paintings. Over one hundred people attended the Christophe Corbier lectured on Alain NEW! Karen Beaumont plays a varied event, including Jehan Alain’s three and his teacher, Maurice Emmanuel, program of organ music from the mid- children, Denis, Agnès, and Lise, and and the use of modes in some of Alain’s his sister, Marie-Claire, the last living piano works; a round-table discussion, 16th century to mid-18th century featuring sibling of Jehan Alain. The new owner led by Gilles Cantagrel, followed, con- the music from three parts of Austria: of the home invited those in attendance cerning organists during Alain’s lifetime. BACH SACRED MUSIC HELMUTH RILLING Salzburg, Linz, and Vienna. Karen was the into her home to wander throughout The panel included Marie-Claire Alain, organist and choir director at St. James the house; she generously provided and Jacqueline Englert (daughter of André NEW! Helmuth Rilling conducts, and also plays the organ, Episcopal Church in Milwaukee from 1988- served champagne to everyone. It was Marchal), Marie-Louise Langlais (widow the fi rst time Marie-Claire Alain had of Jean Langlais), Eric Lebrun (student as he examines J.S. Bach’s greatest sacred music. This DVD 2011. She is now the organist at the been in the house since it was sold in of Gaston Litaize), and Christian Lesur contains excellent excerpts from Bach’s organ chorales, Chapel of St. John the Evangelist at St. the 1970s, and it was a very emotional (son of the organist-composer Daniel- oratorios, passions and cantatas on the life of Jesus. $19.99 John’s on the Lake in Milwaukee. $14.98 experience for her to return to the home Lesur). One laments that the music of of her childhood. Daniel-Lesur is not better known to- Aurélie Decourt designed and per- day; he was an extraordinary composer IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT! sonally arranged a marvelous exhibition and his music deserves to be played and NOW CHOOSE FROM OVER 5,000 TITLES! at the Espace Véra, which included mu- heard. Jacqueline Englert prepared an sical manuscripts, letters, and drawings excellent talk on the close relationship of ORDER ANY TIME ONLINE: www.ohscatalog.org by Alain; information about the Alain her father and Jehan Alain that was con- house organ and organs in general was cise and beautifully delivered. ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY UPS shipping to U.S. addresses, which we provided by Guy Bovet and the Associa- The afternoon session was devoted P.O. Box 26811 Richmond, VA 23261 recommend, is $8.50 for your entire order. tion Jehan Alain de Suisse. The exhibit to Jehan Alain as composer. Vincent Media Mail shipping is $4.50 for your entire was open from March 19 through April Warnier, the organiste-titulaire of Saint- Telephone: (804) 353-9226 order. Shipping outside U.S. is $4.50, plus 8. On Saturday afternoon, participants Etienne-du-Mont, presided over this Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:00pm ET the cost of air postage, charged to your VISA were invited by Les Amis du Vieux Saint- session. Roberto Antonello spoke of his E-mail: [email protected] SHIPPING or MasterCard. Germain to attend a very moving cere- thoughts on Alain’s music through Alain’s

NOVEMBER, 2011 21

Nov 2011 pp. 21-23.indd 21 10/13/11 11:19:53 AM Marie-Claire Alain surrounded by her granddaughter, Laetitia Decourt, her daugh- Marie-Claire Alain (center) surrounded by her former North American students ter, Aurélie Decourt, Gilles Cantagrel, and the acclaimed French actress, Brigitte (from left to right): James David Christie, Norma Stevlingson, (Marie-Claire Alain), Fossey, who participated in the March 26 concert with organist Michel Bouvard John Grew, and James Higdon (partially hidden on the right side of the photo)

One of the round-table discussions: seated from left to right–Vincent Warnier (par- James Higdon and Marie-Claire Alain looking at Aurélie Decourt’s new book pub- tially hidden by Norma Stevlingson), John Grew, Lynne Davis, Marie-Claire Alain, lished for the Jehan Alain centenary, Une famille de musicians au 20ème siècle: la James David Christie, Gilles Cantagrel; standing is Aurélie Decourt famille Alain

of Alain’s Trois Danses, performed by Friday evening’s program included est performance of the entire evening. Norma Stevlingson spoke about the the Orchestre National d’Ile-de-France Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un This work is a masterpiece and shows critical notes on the organ works, which under the direction of the American faune, certainly to pay homage to the Durufl é as an orchestrator on the level she assisted Marie-Claire Alain to pre- conductor, Jonathan Schiffmann, at the most famous composer to hail from of , Maurice Ravel, and pare for publication by Alphonse Leduc. Théâtre Alexandre Dumas in the heart Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Sadly, the fa- André Caplet. Klaus Rothaupt recalled the teaching of of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Jehan Alain’s mous opening fl ute solo was lackluster Unfortunately, Antonini’s orchestra- Alain’s organ works by his sister, Marie- own orchestration of Trois Danses was and performed without poetry and with tion of Alain’s Trois Danses did not fare as Claire. Yannick Merlin’s topic was Jehan lost during the last year of his life, and a very dull, uninteresting tone. The Che- well. One was expecting extensive use of Alain’s brother, , and his Raymond Gallois-Montbrun orches- valier family made possible the perfor- orchestral color and this did not happen. compositions. Since Olivier’s death in trated the work in 1945. Critics viewed mance of Maurice Durufl é’s stunning The audience was ready for an explosive, 1994, Marie-Claire Alain has prepared this orchestration as too heavy and too Trois Danses, which date from 1936 colorful, on-the-edge orchestration that editions of many of his works. academic for Alain’s music and there was (the year before Alain began his Trois would bring the work to life like a rock The morning session concluded with always a desire that someone would un- Danses, also for orchestra). Certainly band. The percussion was under-used a round-table discussion on the global dertake a new orchestration, more in the the high point of the concert, Durufl é’s and the orchestration in general was scope of Alain’s work, with Marie-Claire exotic spirit of the young Jehan Alain. Trois Danses elicited the orchestra’s fi n- “textbook” and dull. One had the feeling Alain, James David Christie, Gilles Can- that Antonini did not even know the or- tagrel, and John Grew. The participants gan version. We were told that Antonini were treated to a sumptuous lunch pre- DPMKMSP/MRC@MMI was not happy with the results, and that pared and served by members of Les 4A?RRCPCBJC?TCQ he planned to rework the orchestration Amis du Vieux Saint-Germain in the for a performance at the festival Tou- Saint-Germain-en-Laye chateau. louse les Orgues this fall. Schiffmann’s heavy, shapeless conducting did much Afternoon concert     to harm the performance and showed In the afternoon, there was a concert that minimal study had been done on given by professional musicians from the work. The orchestra sounded very Saint-Germain, which included a won- under-rehearsed as well. The program derful performance of Jehan Alain’s      concluded with a more polished perfor- Andante con variazioni et Scherzo for mance of Ravel’s Ma Mère l’Oye, which string quintet (this is the same music as       was obviously in the repertoire of the or- the fi rst two movements of Alain’s Suite chestra. The audience responded enthu- pour orgue), the Trois mouvements for      siastically and a movement was repeated fl ute and piano, and Olivier Alain’s Sou- as an encore. venances for fl ute and piano (with well-      known veteran fl utist Luc Urbain). A Saturday, March 26 beautiful performance of Olivier Alain’s       The colloquium continued on Satur- Suite for violin and piano followed. day morning, March 26, under Georges Perhaps one of the most touching      Guillard’s leadership in the exquisite cha- moments of the entire festival was the pel of the Musée Maurice Denis, with singing of Jehan Alain’s beautiful song, topics concerning the works of Jehan Laisse les nuages blancs (poem of Francis Alain. Claire Denis, granddaughter of the Jammes) by Ariane Gommier, the great- famed artist Maurice Denis, gave a lovely niece of Jehan Alain, granddaughter of introduction to his work and the efforts Marie-Claire Alain, and daughter of currently being undertaken to prepare a Anne Gommier and Marie-Claire Alain’s catalog of his works. Michel Fischer spoke late son, Benoît. Members of the choir on the great differences in the composi- of the Claude Debussy Conservatory of tions of two close friends, Alain and Mes- Saint-Germain sang several secular and siaen. Wilhelm Hafner lectured on the religious choral works of Jehan Alain to counterpoint in the instrumental work of conclude the program. Alain. This was followed by perhaps the  š most interesting of all the lectures: Jean- Evening concert e     Marc Leblanc spoke on the infl uence of The fi nest program of the festival took Charles Tournemire on Alain. place at the Church of Saint-Germain-

22 THE DIAPASON

Nov 2011 pp. 21-23.indd 22 10/13/11 11:20:16 AM Marie-Claire Alain recounting a story about Jehan Alain from 1936

en-Laye on Saturday evening, March This concert was a wonderful way to 26. Albert Alain held the position of conclude the festival and to celebrate organiste-titulaire at this church from the contributions of the entire Alain 1924 until his death in 1971 and was suc- family to the city of Saint-Germain-en- ceeded by his daughter, Marie-Claire, Laye and the world. Marie-Claire Alain, who holds the position to this day. Jehan who is now retired and who celebrated Alain often substituted for his father her 85th birthday on August 10, was in here as well. This program was unique attendance for all the concerts. It was and captivating. It featured the brilliant very moving to see the devotion and love concert organist Michel Bouvard and of her many former students, colleagues, the celebrated French actress Brigitte family, friends, and the public in general Fossey, reading excerpts from letters when she was welcomed at the concerts written by Jehan Alain from the front. and receptions. The contributions of the The readings, carefully chosen by Au- Alain family from the early part of the rélie Decourt, were interspersed among 20th century through the present are the organ works and were very moving. amazing. Aurélie Decourt is a brilliant Brigitte Fossey is a marvelous actress musicologist and works tirelessly for the and gave an outstanding presentation. Alain legacy. To mark the 100th birthday Michel Bouvard was the perfect organist of Jehan Alain, she published an excel- for this program; his playing was elegant, lent book devoted to the history of the refi ned, colorful, full of spontaneity, po- Alain family: “Une famille de musiciens etic, and exciting—in short, he played au 20ème siècle, la famille Alain.” It is just as one would have imagined Jehan written in French and is published by Alain played his own works. He gave ex- Editions Hermann (http://www.editions- traordinary performances of Alain’s two hermann.fr/). Alain’s grave in the cemetery of Le Pecq, which is the city where Jehan lived with Fantasies and Trois Danses. This concert Our deepest thanks to Dr. Decourt for his wife and children very near Saint-Germain-en-Laye; Alain’s house was just was a preview of the offi cial performance putting together this entire festival and around the corner from the cemetery. scheduled for October 2011 at the inter- to Les Amis de Vieux Saint-Germain for national festival, Toulouse les Orgues. their warm welcome and their tireless work—it was a magnifi cent celebration Sunday morning and tribute to Jehan Alain and the entire On Sunday morning, young students Alain family! ■ INCE 1979, we have of the Conservatory Claude Debussy of Saint-Germain performed piano works James David Christie has performed designed and built over of Jehan Alain. The second half of the around the world with symphony orchestras 120 new pipe organs for program was devoted to Alain’s more and period instrument ensembles as well as in S solo recitals. The 1979 fi rst prize winner of the clients in Australia, Austria, mature works, such as Suite monodique Bruges (Belgium) International Organ Com- and Tarass Boulba; Désiré N’Kaoua, petition, he was the fi rst American ever to win New Zealand, England, a former student of Lazare Levy and fi rst prize in this competition, and also the fi rst Marguerite Long, performed this por- person in the competition’s eighteen-year his- Canada and the United States. tion of the program. A specialist in the tory to win both the fi rst prize and the prize of Our instruments, whether music of Ravel and French music in the audience. He has served as organist of the general, N’Kaoua recorded the com- Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1978 and tracker or electric action, have plete piano works of Jehan Alain for the has performed and recorded with numerous been praised for their rugged FY label in France. major orchestras, including those of Vienna, London, Stuttgart, Paris, Philadelphia, San construction, comfortable Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, New York, Bos- Opus 116 Concluding concert ton, and others. He has made over fi fty tours consoles, responsive key The Alain Centenary Celebration of Europe and performs regularly in Canada, actions and tonal integrity. concluded with a concert in memory of Asia, Australia, and Iceland. Albert, Jehan, and Olivier Alain, with a James David Christie has served on many New cases, keyboards, large cast of performers: organists Eric international organ competition juries, in- windchests, reservoirs and Lebrun and Marie-Ange Leurent; the cluding those in Paris, Chartres, Biarritz, St. Albans, Amsterdam, Lübeck, Bordeaux, pipes are all built from raw Camerata Saint-Louis, Georges Guil- Dublin, Worcester, Calgary, Montreal, Dal- lard, conductor; the Ensemble vocal de las, Leipzig, Weimar-Merseburg, Tokyo, Mos- materials within our two l’UFR de Musique et Musicologie en cow, Kaliningrad, , Boston, Bruges, Sorbonne, Denis Rouger, director; so- and others. Christie has recorded for Decca, workshops located in Saint- prano soloists Maud Gnidzaz, Lorraine Philips, Nonesuch, JAV, Northeastern, Ara- Hyacinthe, Québec. Our team Prigent, Clémence Olivier, and Ariane besque, Denon, RCA, Dorian, Naxos, Bridge, Gommier; mezzo-sopranos Anne-Marie and GM and has received several awards for of experienced builders also Hellot, Violette Viannay, Camille Ron- his solo recordings, including the Preis der restores and rebuilds older deau, and Mariette Desert; violinists Deutschen Schallplatten Kritik and the Maga- zine d’Orgue: Coup de Coeur. instruments to make them Marie-Hélène Clausse and Stefano Cat- James David Christie holds positions as alano; violist Thierry Gileni; cellist Mat- the Distinguished Artist in Residence at the sound and play better than ever. Opus 118 thieu Fontana, and fl utist Luc Urbain. College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mas- The program opened with Durufl é’s sachusetts, Chair and Professor of Organ at memorial to Jehan Alain, his Prelude and the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, Fugue on the name of ALAIN. The audi- Oberlin, Ohio, and serves as College Organ- ence was treated to a rare performance ist at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massa- LÉTOURNEAU PIPE ORGANS chusetts. He has previously held positions at of the Kyrie and Gloria from Albert Boston Conservatory, Harvard University, Alain’s Messe Solennelle en l’honneur M.I.T., and Boston University. In the fall of USA Canada de Saint-Louis. Many of Jehan Alain’s 2010, he was on sabbatical in Paris, France, 1220 L Street NW 16 355, avenue Savoie smaller organ works and vocal motets where he served as visiting Professor of Organ Suite 100 – Box 200 St-Hyacinthe, Québec at the Paris Conservatory. were performed, including his beauti- Washington, DC J2T 3N1 ful Messe modale for soprano, alto, fl ute, 20005-4018 Tel: 450-774-2698 and string quartet. The program con- Tel: 800-625-PIPE Fax: 450-774-3008 cluded with Olivier Alain’s moving me- Check out the latest news and Fax: 202-737-1818 [email protected] morial to his sister Marie-Odile, Plange calendar listings at [email protected] www.letourneauorgans.com quasi virgo (from Trois déplorations) for soprano and organ, and Jehan Alain’s www.TheDiapason.com most famous work, Litanies.

NOVEMBER, 2011 23

Nov 2011 pp. 21-23.indd 23 10/13/11 11:20:30 AM