Litanies || Jehan Alain

Jehan Alain was only 29 when he was killed in battle in World War II (receiving a posthumous Croix de Guerre), but he had already created a substantial body of distinctive music. Composed in 1937, the short but ecstatically driving Litanies is probably his best-known work. “You must create an impression of passionate incantation,” Alain wrote about playing this piece. “Prayer is not a lament but a devastating tornado, flattening everything in its way. It is also an obsession. You must fill people’s ears with it, and God’s ears too! If you get to the end without feeling exhausted you have neither understood it nor played it as I would want it.”
Music starts at - 3:45

The Casavant organ, opus 3089, at Kettering SDA Church was first installed in 1971, 50 years ago. The Legacy & Legends Concert hosted by Kettering was the celebration of a wonderful 50 years of service. As a former organist and Director of Worship & Arts, I was invited to return to take part in this celebration!

This was a collaborative concert with organists David Hegarty, Martha Jean, and Rachel Spry Lammi, including works of Bach, Buxtehude, Alain, and a variety of other composers.
View the full concert here:    • Legacy & Legends 50th Anniversary Organ Co...  
View concert program and full organ specs here: www.devonhoward.org/event-details/legacy-legends-concert

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