Ave maris stella III

Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) is amongst the most famous of 20th century organ composers and performers. He is most well-known for having served at St. Sulpice in Paris from 1934 until his death.

"Ave maris stella III" is taken from the "Fifteen Pieces" published by Dupré in 1920. The works are now published by H. W. Gray. There are "three books" included, and these are divided into "5 Antiphons", "4 settings of 'Ave maris stella", and "6 settings of phrases from the Magnificat". There are "dedicated to Monsieur C. J. and his sympathetic visits to the Grand Orgue of Notre Dame, Paris in 1920."

Thanks to Patrick (PLRT), we have a bit more information about the dedication! "The "Monsieur C.J." whom the 15 pieces are dedicated to was then the (rich) chairman of Rolls-Royce. He offered an electric blower to the organ of Notre-Dame which had not yet one. It still had a "soufflerie à alcool" (alcohol blower), as Vierne called it :-)

THANK YOU, Patrick!

This setting is composed with the "Choral ornamented in the style of J. S. Bach," and it really does a superb job of "imitating" a Bach coloratura prelude.

The text inspiring the setting is, "So now as we Journey, aid our weak endeavor," which is of course a prayer to the Virgin Mary.

The registration used the Cornet of the Recit, accompanied by Flutes 8' & 4'.

Aarnoud asked if I would be uploading the four settings, but this is the last one that I did. The big toccata used to come easy, but I haven't played it in a long time, and I've got a bunch of other music that I'm trying to learn, so, I think it would be foolish for me to try to "fake" it... :-)

Photos of Dupré, and of Saint Sulpice are attached below.

Tomorrow, I'll be back to some "authentic" Advent / pre-Christmas music.