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Two Chorales: Organ, Solo, Unaccompanied, Book

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Two Chorales: Organ, Solo, Unaccompanied, Book

Two Chorales: Organ, Solo, Unaccompanied, Book

By Jehan Alain

Item: 36-M211991
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Description
French composer, organist, and soldier Jehan-Aristide Paul Alain (1911-1940) was born into a family of musicians, including his composer/organist father Albert Alain, composer/organist younger brother Olivier Alain, and organist younger sister Marie-Clarire Alain. Best known for his organ works, Alain wrote some of the most original music of the 20th century until his death at the Battle of Saumur, for which he was poshumously awarded the Croix de Guerre for his bravery. TWO CHORALS (DEUX CHORALS) include the following works for organ: Choral dorien, JA 67 and Choral phrygien, JA 68. The titles do not refer to the medieval modes called Dorian and Phrygian, but they are instead a reference to the Ancient Greek modes of the same names.

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Additional Details
Series: Master Organ Series- LudwigMasters
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63361-337-2
ISBN13: 978-1-63361-337-9
UPC: 660355148316
SKU: 36-M211991
Instrumentation: Organ

More about this title

About the Composer: Jehan Alain

Jehan Alain (1911-1940) came of age in one of France's most distinguished musical families. His father Albert and younger brothers Olivier and Marie-Claire were all accomplished organists and composers, creating an environment where organ music was both daily practice and artistic exploration. Alain inherited this legacy and quickly established himself as one of the most inventive organ composers of his generation, drawing on modal and modal-adjacent harmonic language to expand the instrument's expressive vocabulary.

Alain's career was cut tragically short when he died in combat at the Battle of Saumur during World War II, earning the Croix de Guerre posthumously for his military service. In his brief compositional life, he produced works of unusual originality that continue to challenge and inspire organists today. His output remains a window into early 20th-century French organ music at its most imaginative.

Why we love this

These two chorales stand apart from mainstream organ literature by engaging directly with modal harmony in a way that feels both intellectually rigorous and sonically fresh. Alain's reference to ancient Greek modes (rather than their medieval counterparts) signals his intent to build something architecturally distinct, and organists will find the harmonic language demands close attention to voice leading and color. They reward the player who enjoys music that requires real musical thinking.

What to expect

The modal harmonies create an atmosphere of contemplative searching, neither settling into major/minor comfort nor veering into dense chromaticism. The writing feels restrained and thoughtful, with each harmonic gesture placed deliberately, inviting the listener into a space of quiet architectural discovery.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced organists seeking repertoire beyond the standard Baroque and Romantic canon. These chorales appeal to musicians who want to deepen their understanding of 20th-century harmonic language and modal composition through practical performance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Attend to the modal centers and harmonic areas Alain establishes; these pieces reward listeners who hear architecture rather than expect functional harmony throughout.
  • Use the organ's full palette of stops strategically. The contrasts between movements and sections benefit from thoughtful registration choices that highlight the harmonic language without overwhelming it.
  • Balance technical fluency with interpretive space. These are not virtuosic display pieces; they invite a meditative, architecturally aware approach to phrasing and tempo flexibility.
  • Practice the counterpoint on manuals alone before adding pedal. This clarifies the voice-leading logic that underpins Alain's modal thinking.

How to use it

Program these as a pairing to showcase 20th-century French organ music and to introduce audiences to modal composition outside medieval church contexts. They work particularly well in recitals focused on modal or modernist repertoire, or as contrasting material alongside more familiar organ works.

Skills your students will build

  • Understanding and performing modal harmony (Dorian and Phrygian modal language)
  • Voice leading in quartal and modal harmonic contexts
  • Organ registration and tonal color coordination across multiple manuals and pedals
  • Interpretation of early 20th-century French organ aesthetics

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