Prelude

Cathryn Wilkinson, organ

“French with a German Accent”

Verset on the “Gloria” from Mass for the Parishes……….François Couperin

“Duo” from Suite on the First Tone……….Nicolas-Louis Clérambault

Rhapsodie No. 3 on a Breton Air……….Camille Saint-Saëns

Pasticcio……….Jean Langlais

Offertory

Be Thou My Vision……….Irish folk tune, arr. Nathan Pacheco
Jubal Joslyn, tenor

Organ Postlude

Fanfare……….Jacques Lemmens

French Music With a German Accent

German Baroque organs, such as the hand-built instrument here at Church in the Forest, were not designed for the nuances and colors of French organ music. But with a little coaxing and creativity, our organ can “translate” the ambience of France just fine. Baroque-era French composers, such as Couperin and Clerambault, were employed mainly by the Catholic Church or in the royal courts of France. Monsieur Couperin was one of a few who were given a “King’s Permit” to publish music.  Saint-Saëns, composer of the great “Organ Symphony in 1886,” was inspired by folk songs during a trip to Brittany. And from Langlais, who was organist for 42 years at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris, we have a pastiche (sometimes translated “a mess”), a little closing romp throwing together playful themes.