The Musical Tradition at the Sainte-Clotilde Basilica in Paris, France Carolyn Shuster Fournier
1. In the beginning the fi rst decade of his service as choir- Jean Langlais (1931) As soon as he was appointed choir- master: in addition to his three-voice Bernard Piché (1938–1939) master at the Sainte-Clotilde church in Mass, op. 12, a dozen offertories, mo- Paris, France, Franck had the ambition tets and several hymns, his oratorio The Jean Langlais (private organ students or of becoming the titular of the Cavaillé- Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross, those enrolled at the Schola Cantorum) Coll under construction: one of his pro- fi nished on August 14, 1859, and nota- Pierre Denis (beginning in 1932) grams, a concert given on February 22, bly his Dextera Domini, Offertory for Pierre Cogen (beginning in 1950) 1858 in Orléans, attested that “the piano Easter, op. 11, dedicated to the Abbot Marie-Louise Jaquet-Langlais (begin- will be played by M. César Franck, the Pierre Ambroise Hamelin (priest from ning in 1966) choirmaster and the fi rst organist at the 1857–1883).7 In 1867, Théodore Dubois Jacques Taddei (1980). Sainte-Clotilde parish in Paris.”1 During composed, at Hamelin’s request, his ver- the offi cial inauguration of the church sion of the Seven Last Words of Christ The example of Théodore Dubois on December 19, 1859, during which he for Good Friday. This work was then tra- to Maurice Emmanuel played (as did Lefébure-Wély), the musi- ditionally performed each Good Friday An example of faithful support of a cal press presented him as the “organiste at the Madeleine church. Samuel Rous- professor to his students, that of Théo- titulaire de Sainte-Clotilde.”2 seau, a musician who served this parish dore Dubois to Maurice Emmanuel In his biography of César Franck, between 1870 and 1904, also composed alone illustrates the quality of their re- Maurice Emmanuel justly reveals: religious music with harmonies openly lationship. At the time of Emmanuel’s inspired by Franck, which was used for nomination as choirmaster, on October César Franck was choirmaster at Sainte- the ceremonies at Sainte-Clotilde: two 20, 1904, Dubois wrote him the follow- Clotilde (1858) where Théodore Dubois collections of his music even indicate this ing letter: accompanied his choir. Imposed upon him in their titles: Répertoire de Ste-Clotilde by Abbot Hamelin, the parish priest, this (Le Beau, 1887; reissued by Pérégally & My dear friend, Théodore Dubois (courtesy Francis Dubois) choir could be compared to a loose-fi tting I am delighted that you have accepted overcoat whose sleeves hampered him Parvy, 1893–94) and Hymne à Sainte- Clotilde (1897, Pérégally & Parvy), with the functions of choirmaster at Ste-Clotilde. You remain a Christian and a believer; from conducting. Franck was also organist You have plenty of ideas, a cultivated spirit; in this same church, where he possessed the text by Abbot Le Droz, which was this is good! Strong souls support without you know how to manage, in these particu- weakness all human iniquities. You are one of the most beautiful instruments ever dedicated to Abbot Gardey, General larly diffi cult circumstances when we have constructed by Cavaillé-Coll and whose ad- Vicar of Paris, the main priest at Sainte- among them! imposed the “Motu proprio,” the departure The last phrase of your letter reminded mirable voices gradually aroused his genius Clotilde from 1883–1914. of some good and of some bad. You will as an improviser.3 me of my past. How many times my most scarcely be the sectarian and uncompromis- sincere efforts remained unknown and 2. The heritage ing man from the “Schola Cantorum,” and were ridiculed and how many times I was Franck generously allowed Théodore The Sainte-Clotilde musical tradition you will neither glide to the side of worldly treated unjustly and in a biased manner! Dubois to play this instrument occasion- remains unique because it produced a music, so-called more or less religious or But like you, I can say that I had “received rather more or less poorly written. You sympathy from a minor elite, and that a sin- ally when he conducted the choir, as on group of musicians whose line of transmis- must be fi rm and active. You will have all of April 2, 1861, for the fi rst performance sion from the professors to their students cere work in view of an elevated art is never that, and in addition you are young. Please entirely lost.” of his three-voice Mass in A Major, op. remains unbroken. The line of students accept therefore my congratulations and 4 Madame Dubois joins me and hopes 12 (1860) with orchestra. As Dubois has of the titulars at Sainte-Clotilde who be- my most sincere wishes, and you know that that you will share with Mme. Emmanuel confi rmed in his Souvenirs, it was only in longed to this tradition, listed below, is the I am always affectionately devoted to you. 9 the assurance of our most affectionate 1863 that Franck was fi nally named titu- most complete one to this day, without Théodore Dubois sympathy. lar of this most poetic instrument.5 however pretending to be exhaustive: Théodore Dubois11 Although Dubois left Sainte-Clotilde Two years later, on July 1, 1906, Dubois to begin his functions as choirmaster at César Franck (his organ students at the congratulated him for his actions within The dedications La Madeleine beginning on November Conservatory)8 this parish: The dedications of works by compos- 27, 1868, he remained César Franck’s Samuel Rousseau (Nov. 1871; 2nd acc. ers from the Sainte-Clotilde Tradition close friend. He strongly supported his 1872; 1st acc. 1875 ; 1st prize, 1877) My dear friend, I would like to express to their colleagues demonstrate their nomination in 1871 as organ professor at Guillaume Couture (Canadian) (1873 my complete satisfaction with the beauti- mutual esteem and their fraternal rela- the Paris Conservatory. He recalled this to 1875) ful performance of my Mass in the Pales- tionships. Samuel Rousseau dedicated trinian style this morning at Ste-Clotilde. moment in his short speech given dur- Charles Bordes (ca. 1880) I congratulate and heartily thank you for his Fantaisie, op. 73, “to the memory ing the inauguration of the monument Georges MacMaster (ca. 1880), also a your fi ne artistic interpretation. It is dif- of my dear Master César Franck,” the in César Franck’s memory, by Alfred student of Théodore Dubois fi cult to acquire the necessary suppleness Cantilena of his Fifteen Pieces (Paris, Lenoir, in the square located in front of Gabriel Pierné (Dec. 1880; 2nd prize, in such a style. You must then encourage Leduc, 1892) to Léon Cazajus, and an the Sainte-Clotilde Basilica on October 1881; 1st prize, 1882) the singers of your choir and give them the Offertoire funèbre in this same collec- 22, 1904: Dynam-Victor Fumet (Dec. 1885) compliments they deserve. tion to the Abbot Chazot, named second Charles Tournemire (Dec. 1889; 1st Congratulations also for the Plain-Chant vicar at Sainte-Clotilde in 1889. Maurice When the position as organ professor acc., 1890) [sic], which, thus sung and phrased, loses Emmanuel dedicated his Three Organ became vacant following Benoist’s death, I all of the cavernous severity that one is in the habit of giving to it, and which too often Pieces (Paris, Lemoine, 1986) to his as- went right away to see my master Ambroise Théodore Dubois (his students in har- sistant Emile Poillot. Ermend Bonnal Thomas, then director, and I said to him, renders it disagreeable. “There is only one man truly dignifi ed to mony at the Conservatory) Beautiful organ pieces, well-played. dedicated his Prayer and Chorale, op. now occupy this post: it is César Franck”; Guillaume Couture (1873–1875) All my respects to Mrs. Emmanuel and 27, to the memory of his friend Samuel Maurice Emmanuel (1st acc. 1883) affectionately to you, Rousseau. Gabriel Pierné dedicated the he responded to me: “This is true.” And he 10 named him to this post.6 Léon Cazajus (2nd prize 1887) Th. Dubois Prelude of his Three Pieces, op. 29, to the Jules Meunier (ca. 1895) One year later, after Maurice Emmanuel choirmaster Samuel Rousseau, and the Dubois dedicated to Franck his Prélude, resigned from his position as choirmas- second piece in this collection, the Can- the fi rst piece in his Twelve Pieces for Charles Tournemire (private organ ter at Sainte-Clotilde, Théodore Dubois tilène, to Théodore Dubois, who became Organ or Piano Pédalier (Paris, Leduc, and improvisation students) wrote to him on April 2, 1907: titular of the Grand Orgue at La Mad- 1886). Ermend Bonnal (beginning in 1904) eleine. Pierné also composed a Tombeau Among the liturgical works written for Maurice Durufl é (beginning in 1920) My dear Emmanuel, de César Franck for piano (published ceremonies at Sainte-Clotilde, Franck Daniel-Lesur (ca. 1927) That which you have told me does not posthumously), based on one of César composed several choral works during Henriette Puig-Roger (ca. 1930) surprise me! My long personal experience Franck’s improvisation themes. in this fi eld where I worked for so many years of my life, has not hardly left me any Following Samuel Rousseau, Charles illusions neither on the goodness, nor on Tournemire dedicated his fi rst important the piety nor on the intelligence of those organ work to César Franck, his Triple whom you know! Choral (Sancta Trinitas), op. 41, written I was just going to write to you to say in November, 1910 (Lyon, Janin, 1912) that I just learned about your resignation “to the memory of my venerated Master from Mr. Meunier, without a doubt the César Franck. This work renders hom- one whom you refer to with a M.— He just age to my master’s musical testament, his came to visit me, telling me this: “Mr. Em- Three Chorals (1890).” For Tournemire, manuel resigned from Ste-Clotilde, I am most certain; I am not less certain that my candidacy has a chance; I would be grateful the highest expression of organ music is if you would support me with a recommen- manifest in the choral. The refi ned style dation to the priest.” In these conditions, which ensues gives it a special signifi cance. This is not only a question of writing, its I could not refuse to write him this note, signifi cance is higher: it is the result of especially since I have known him for quite a special state of the soul. . . . From the a long time. I therefore wrote a small letter instant when the composer enters this to the priest conceived more or less in these temple perfumed with incense, he feels terms: “I have been informed that Mr. Em- penetrated with dignity: his prayerful soul manuel has left his position as choirmaster is fi lled with light.12 at Sainte-Clotilde. If this is true, please al- low me to etc. . . .” Since I always tell the truth, I was going Tournemire’s Triple Choral contains to write this to you, really certain that you three sources of inspiration: did not take this solemn decision until af- ter a series of all sorts of disgusting events 1st Choral—You are grand, oh Father! in which you did not want to tarnish your You have created the world. You have regu- dignity. lated the grandiose rhythm. You have cre-
26 THE DIAPASON
Apr 08 pp. 26-29.indd 26 3/10/08 11:24:01 AM gan, which Tournemire had recorded at the beginning of 1931 for Polydor. To his former student, substitute, and friend Ermend Bonnal, Tournemire dedicated several of his works: in 1895, Le Ménétrier (one of his Six Pieces for piano, op. 20—Marseille, Georges Kaufmann, 1900), an Offertory in G Major, op. 21, from the Variae Preces for harmonium (edited in Lyon by Janin in 1904, along with an Entrée in B Ma- jor, dedicated to Samuel-Rousseau) and in 1931, the 33rd offi ce of l’Orgue mystique, op. 57, for the eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Paris, Heugel, 1931). In turn, Bonnal dedicated to his maître his Paysage landais (Paris, A. Durand & Fils, 1904), and to André Fleury, the third piece of his Paysages pyrénées, re- baptized Paysages euskariens, Cloches dans le ciel. Bernard Schulé dedicated in memory of Ermend Bonnal his Icône, the fi fth of his organ pieces entitled En- luminures, op. 12 (Rouart Lerolle et Théodore Dubois with colleagues (courtesy Francis Dubois) Maurice Emmanuel circa 1920 (courtesy Cie., 1946). Anne Eichner-Emmanuel) Tournemire dedicated his Fioretti, his maître Charles Tournemire as well as lio to François Tricot (the fi rst of his Two op. 60, no. 2 (Paris, Hérelle, 1932) to his In Memoriam, op. 231 (Paris, Com- Hosannas on Gregorian texts; Vienna, ated life. We glorify you and we love you. his friend Jean Langlais. It is moving to bre, 1987). Universal, 1985). 2nd Choral—The one who regulates the read the text written to his student, blind In September, 1986, Langlais dedi- To his student and second wife Ma- immense rhythm of the world, this power since the age of two: cated his Three Antiphons to the Holy rie-Louise, Jean Langlais dedicated his that is beyond all our comprehension, in Virgin, op. 242, for solo voice (or for “Il était, Il est et Il vient,” no. 2 of his order to save us took on our humanity, was You judge me well because, to punish unison choir) and organ (Pro Organo, Five Meditations on the Apocalypse, op. born in a manger, grew up among men, me for my deep faults you weakened my lived a life in a miserable world, taught with 1991) to Father Joseph Choné, who had 175, and his “Feux d’artifi ce,” no. 4 of his eyesight and momentarily I lost my sight! just been named head priest at Sainte- Rosace, op. 211 (Paris, Combre, 1981). sublime maxims, died on a cross between Oh! Am I not only too worthy of these two thieves. Admire Christ’s ineffable tribulations? And don’t I deserve even yet Clotilde, as well as several works to his In turn, Marie-Louise Jaquet-Langlais sweetness and admire his unfathomable greater ones?14 colleagues: to his former student and wrote a biography on Langlais and his goodness and greatness. Love Christ. substitute organist Pierre Denis, Hom- work: Ombre et Lumière, Jean Langlais, 3rd Choral—This grandiose manifesta- Let us recall that it was with much mage à Landino from his Twenty-Four 1907–1991 (Paris, Combre, 1995). To tion of the silent march of the stars in space, emotion that Jean Langlais played this Pieces for Harmonium or Organ, op. 10 Jacques Taddei, Jean Langlais dedicated, the sublime act of Christ on the cross, all of these acts beyond our comprehension were work at a concert at Sainte-Clotilde in (Paris, Hérelle, 1939) and his Suite fran- in 1988, “He is Born,” no. 6 of his Christ- dictated by the Holy Spirit.13 homage to Tournemire on November çaise, op. 59 (Paris, Bornemann, 1948); mas Carol Hymn Settings, op. 243 (H. T. 16, 1989 (to commemorate the fi ftieth to his disciple and substitute organist Fitzsimons, 1988). Charles Tournemire dedicated several anniversary of his death). This was the Pierre Cogen in 1973, “Oh oui, viens of his works to his substitute organists: last time that Pierre Cogen heard Lan- Seigneur, viens Seigneur Jésus,” no. 4 Improvisation in 1930, to André Fleury, no. 15 of the glais play in this church that he had from his Five Meditations on the Apoca- Improvisation on the Grand Orgue op. 56 from l’Orgue mystique (Laetare), served as an artist for 43 years. Too weak lypse, op. 175 (Paris, Bornemann, 1974); played a primary role in the music at and to Daniel-Lesur, no. 16. In 1934, he to go up to the Grand Orgue tribune, and to the choirmaster François Tricot, Sainte-Clotilde. As Joël-Marie Fauquet dedicated no. 40 (for the XIVth Sunday Langlais, who strongly wished to per- Dominica in Palmis, op. 83 (Paris, Schola emphasized, after Pentecost) to Emile Poillot as well form this work, decided to perform it on Cantorum, 1984). Pierre Cogen dedicat- as no. 41, op. 57, from l’Orgue mystique the choir organ. Jean Langlais dedicated ed several works to his maître: in 1988, the fame of César Franck as an organ- (for the XVth Sunday after Pentecost) his Rhapsodie Grégorienne (no. 9 of his Offering (Paris, Combre, 1990) and his ist was founded on improvisation. . . . As to Maurice Durufl é. Durufl é, in turn, Nine Pieces, op. 40, published in Paris by Two Chorales (Paris, Combre, 1993); in a composer, he rarely put himself in the reconstituted Five Improvisations for or- Bornemann in 1945) to the memory of 1980, he dedicated his Hosanna in exsi- forefront. . . . Of the six hours of his class
9ALE 5NIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDY IN ORGAN PERFORMANCE AT 9ALE )NSTITUTE OF 3ACRED -USIC AND 3CHOOL OF -USIC
FACULTY 4HOMAS -URRAY 0ROFESSOR OF /RGAN -ARTIN *EAN 0ROFESSOR OF /RGAN *EFFREY "RILLHART /RGAN )MPROVISATION
DEGREES OFFERED -ASTER OF -USIC -ASTER OF -USICAL !RTS !RTIST $IPLOMA $OCTOR OF -USICAL !RTS
#HURCH -USIC 3TUDIES CURRICULUM AVAILABLE &ULL