À la venue de Noël

Isaac Francois Lefebure-Wely, born c. 1756 - died June 22, 1831 in Paris, was a French organist, pianist and composer.

He was a master of harpsichord (and fortepiano) and organist in Saint-Jacques-du-Haut-Pas in Paris. In 1805, he became organist in Saint-Roch after a competition between Nicolas Séjan and Gervais-François Couperin. He had been a substitute since 1802.

Having become organist of an important parish, he felt it useful to change his name from Isaac-François Lefebvre (Isaac Lefebure according to Fétis) to Antoine Lefébure-Wely (named after his wife of English origin).

He was installed as keyholder Clicquot de Saint-Roch, "received September 13, 1805", the post he will occupy until the end of his life. In 1828, a victim of a stroke, he remained partially paralyzed until his death; he is often replaced during the last years by his young son Alfred.

The year 1778 saw th first publications of his works, and he is mentioned as "master of harpsichord" in the musical Almanac of 1779.

He is best known for being the father and first teacher of Louis James Alfred Lefebure-Wely.

"Noël Varié. Pour une Offertoire" appears in "Recueil de tous les airs consacrés pour le temps de Noël et arrangés pour l’orgue", and dates from 1823. The tune, "À la venue de Noël" was a favorite, and was set by many French organists.

This piece seems to be sort of a "crossover" work. It still maintains many of the stylistic traits of the great French Baroque compositions, but at the same time, has more modern elements about it. The stormy ending almost sounds like it could be a work by his more famous son!

I've loosely adhered to the classic ideals of registrations, but I did allow myself a good bit of freedom, such as at the conclusion, where I use the 16' reed stop! :-)

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Saint-Jacques-du-Haut-Pas and Saint Roch.

Tomorrow's upload: "Christmas Fantasy on a theme of J.S. Bach" - Gustav Rebling