From Amazon.com
Jehan Alain, tragically killed at the age of 29 during the Nazi invasion of France in 1940, was one of the century's finest organ composers. Firmly in the French tradition, his short pieces were often secular in nature although, like the
Suite pour orgue, they touch depths and explore mysteries more familiar in overtly religious works. The
Suite, like so many of Alain's works, utilizes ostinatos and fresh sonorities and registrations, which make his music so interesting, even to those immune to the instrument's charms. Though many of the selections date from his early 20s, pieces like the
Deux danses and the prize-winning counterpoint class exercise,
Variations on Lucis Creator, are very much worth hearing. The 1937
Litanies, perhaps Alain's best-known work, packs more into its brief four minutes than many lengthy works of others. Authenticity is assured as the organist here (and in
a second volume of Alain's organ music) is Marie-Claire Alain, Jehan's sister, who has long championed his works. She performs on a Besancon organ Alain knew well and played often. Chief competition comes from
a Naxos set played by Eric Lebrun, a former pupil of Marie-Claire Alain, but blood tells and these performances are about as definitive as you can get.
--Dan Davis