Composer: Jehan Arist[id]e Paul Alain (3 February 1911 - 20 June 1940)
Organist: Hayo Boerema (born 1972)
Organ: Marcussen og Søn (1966-1973), Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Hoofdorgel
Published posthumously as part of 'Quatre œuvres pour orgue'* by Universal-Edition (Vienna) in 1980 as per the initiative of the author's late sister Marie-Claire Alain-Gommier; written in January or primal February of 1932 before his birthday. Marked 'like a chorale' and counting a mere twenty-three measures, the 'Given melody' was written by a then-twenty-year-old composer and future martyr; and is a single-paged work scored with four to six voices in mind (though the single existing holograph manuscript as preserved by the heirs constituting the Association Jehan Alain is in fact two pages on a single leaf due to an unusual disposition of the layout, see Alain's fourth notebook, nr. 14 - followed by the Complainte à la mode ancienne; ) exercising unconventional harmonies on the ground of the note B (H) that was written in 1932.
With the exception of the sixth measure (allocated to common time) so as to not disrupt the flow, the entirety of the piece is in 3/4 time. In spite of this, it is rooted in tonality, bearing a key signature in E minor; and although it has never been explicitly recommended yet nevertheless endorsed by some certain sources, it is also playable on the piano.
The average duration is between a minute and around ninety seconds or so; though slower tempi have occasionally been registered. Despite its brevity, the miniature captures and shocks the listener with its perplexing, liberal, and independent textures.
Chant donné is not related to the harmony assignments bestowed by the Conservatoire de Paris and was written independently as such.
*I actually do not possess the entire collection; but rather only this and the 'Fantasmagorie'. The consistory of the collection are as follows: firstly De Jules Lemaître, JA 62, this said Chant donné, JA 37, Andante, JA 89b (a transcription of the central movement of his Suite monodique for piano); then finally the aforementioned Fantasmagorie, JA 63 (originally entitled 'Ritournelle', then 'Danse' before deciding upon the current title; the composer reutilised the best fragments of the latter in his 'Litanies').
Selon la description de cette chaîne, je ne possède rien dans cette vidéo. La musique et les performances ont été téléchargées à des fins de divulgation uniquement.
As per the description of this channel, I do not own anything within this video. The music and performances have been uploaded for divulgation purposes only.