Jean Langlais: Difference between revisions
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The contemporary French composer Jean Langlais became blind when only two years old. Despite this handicap, he became one of the most respected organists of the twentieth century. He studied at the National Institute for the Young Blind with André Marchal. In 1930 he won first prize in organ at the Paris Conservatory, studying under Marcel Dupré. At that same time Langlais received composition lessons from Paul Dukas. In 1945 he became organist of the great St. Clothilde in Paris, succeeding Frank and Tournemire. He retained that position until he was eighty years old. Langlais also taught for forty years at the National Institute for the Young Blind, where he influenced many students. He was especially notable for his excellence in teaching improvisation. | |||
Langlais composed primarily for the organ, with over 300 pieces to his credit. His works are neo-classic, following the tradition of Tournemire in drawing on ideas from the Gregorian chant tradition and the Catholic liturgy. He enhanced them with Polymodal harmony. His attractive melodies make his music accessible and enjoyable. | |||
Points of Interest | |||
*Langlais received a composition prize in Paul Dukas' class of 1934. He also received the "Grand Prix d'Exécution et Improvisation des Amis de l'Orgue" (The Friends of the Organ Grand Prize for Playing and Improvisation) in 1931 while studying with Charles Tournemire. | |||
*He gave over 300 recitals and innumerable master classes in the United States. | |||
Selected Works | |||
*Trois paraphrases grégoriennes (Three Gregorian Paraphrases) | |||
*Deux offertories pour tous les temps (Five meditations on the apocalypse) | |||
*Hommage to Jean Philippe Rameau | |||
*Hommage to Frescolbaldi | |||
*Nine Pieces | |||
*Suite Baroque | |||
*Suite Française and | |||
*Suite Medieval and | |||
*Cinq Soleils | |||
*Folkloric Suite | |||
For additional details, see the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Langlais Wikipedia article]. | For additional details, see the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Langlais Wikipedia article]. | ||
Latest revision as of 19:50, 3 April 2017
Synopsis
Jean Langlais (1907-1991) was a French composer, organist, and improviser.[1]
- 1907 born in La Fontenelle[2]
- Was blind since the age of two[3]
- He studied with Marchal at the Institution des Jeunes Aveugles in Paris
- He took First prize in organ at the Paris Conservatoire in 1930
- In 1931, he received the “Grand Prix d’Execution et Improvisation des Amis de l’Orgue”, after having studied improvisation with Charles Tournemire[4]
- He took second prize in composition in 1934
- 1932 He was the organist at St. Pierre-de-Montrouge
- He also joined the staff at the blind school where he studied. He taught composition and organ
- Professor for forty years at the National Institute for the Young Blind[5]
- In 1945, he became the successor to Cesar Franck and Charles Tournemire at the prestigious organ tribune of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris. He left that position in 1987 at the age of 80, having been titular for 42 years[6]
- 1952 He made his first concert tour of the USA and performed more than 300 concerts in North America[7]
- Professor for forty years at the National Institute for the Young Blind[8]
- 1962-1975 he taught at the Schola Cantorum in Paris
- 1991 died in Paris
Biography
The contemporary French composer Jean Langlais became blind when only two years old. Despite this handicap, he became one of the most respected organists of the twentieth century. He studied at the National Institute for the Young Blind with André Marchal. In 1930 he won first prize in organ at the Paris Conservatory, studying under Marcel Dupré. At that same time Langlais received composition lessons from Paul Dukas. In 1945 he became organist of the great St. Clothilde in Paris, succeeding Frank and Tournemire. He retained that position until he was eighty years old. Langlais also taught for forty years at the National Institute for the Young Blind, where he influenced many students. He was especially notable for his excellence in teaching improvisation.
Langlais composed primarily for the organ, with over 300 pieces to his credit. His works are neo-classic, following the tradition of Tournemire in drawing on ideas from the Gregorian chant tradition and the Catholic liturgy. He enhanced them with Polymodal harmony. His attractive melodies make his music accessible and enjoyable.
Points of Interest
- Langlais received a composition prize in Paul Dukas' class of 1934. He also received the "Grand Prix d'Exécution et Improvisation des Amis de l'Orgue" (The Friends of the Organ Grand Prize for Playing and Improvisation) in 1931 while studying with Charles Tournemire.
- He gave over 300 recitals and innumerable master classes in the United States.
Selected Works
- Trois paraphrases grégoriennes (Three Gregorian Paraphrases)
- Deux offertories pour tous les temps (Five meditations on the apocalypse)
- Hommage to Jean Philippe Rameau
- Hommage to Frescolbaldi
- Nine Pieces
- Suite Baroque
- Suite Française and
- Suite Medieval and
- Cinq Soleils
- Folkloric Suite
For additional details, see the Wikipedia article.
List of Organ Works
Background and General Perspectives on Performing Langlais Organ Works
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Registration and Organs
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See the footnote in the "Notes" section at the bottom of the page. [9]
Fingering and Pedaling
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Articulation and Phrasing
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Ornamentation
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Tempo and Meter
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Scores and Editions
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Recordings
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Free Online
Pipedreams radio broadcast #1119, "Langlais on Langlais."
Pipedreams radio broadcast #1124, "In Memoriam Jean Langlais."
Fete performed by Christopher Young
Pasticcio performed by Marie Ducrot, at the Church of St. Martin in Pau
Pay to Listen
Available for purchase at iTunes, "Langlais joue Langlais".
Other Resources
See the Jean Langlais website for a list of publications dealing with Langlais and his style. [1]
A DVD documentary, Life and Music of Jean Langlais, is available from the Organ Historical Society [2]
Notes
- ↑ Oxford Music Online, accessed 18 February 2015
- ↑ Jean Langlais Website, http://jeanlanglais.com/index.php
- ↑ Jean Langlais Website, http://jeanlanglais.com/index.php
- ↑ Jean Langlais Website, http://jeanlanglais.com/index.php
- ↑ Jean Langlais Website, http://jeanlanglais.com/index.php
- ↑ Jean Langlais Website, http://jeanlanglais.com/index.php
- ↑ Jean Langlais Website, http://jeanlanglais.com/index.php
- ↑ Jean Langlais Website, http://jeanlanglais.com/index.php
- ↑ This footnote was entered in the "Registration and Organs" article
This space is for automatic insertion of footnotes. To enter a footnote from anywhere in the article, start by typing the tag <ref> and then enter the text, and type the tag </ref> to end the footnote. The footnote will then appear in this "Notes" section automatically.
