Jubilate Deo Omnis Terra

Paul Benoit (1893-1979) was born December 9, 1893 in Nancy, France.

During World War I, Benoit first began to feel called to the vocation of a Benedictine monk. After the Armistice of 1918, he entered a retreat at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Maurice and St. Maur, at Clairvaux in Luxembourg, and he joined the abbey in 1919. After taking his vows in 1921, and was ordained to priesthood in 1926.

He had begun music lessons at the age of seven, taking piano lessons from his mother. He took organ lessons from Mademoiselle Hess, the daughter of the organist of Notre Dame Cathedral in Nancy. After his priestly ordination, he studied the organ with Albert Leblanc, then studied with Augustin Pierson.

In 1931, Benoit took over as organist of the Mutin-Cavaillé-Coll organ at the abbey, replacing his predecessor who suffered from health problems. Although he had already composed small pieces as a child, it was at this time that he began composing seriously. In an autobiography, he said that he drew inspiration from Bach, Vierne, Debussy and Ravel. His main source of inspiration was Gregorian chant, which he heard daily in the monastic liturgy.

Benoit's compositional style can be described as melodic-pentatonic, with the occasional harmonic influence of Impressionism. He skillfully uses ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths, and the melody is often set against sustained chords.

"Jubilate Deo omnis terra" (O be joyful in God all ye lands) continues the Epiphany theme. The text, the first verse of Psalm 66, is in regular liturgical use, but is often paired with the idea of Christ's birth being manifested to the Gentiles - to all lands.

The style is a brief, festive Grande Chœur, maintaining the chant melody in the upper voice throughout.

This work is the second in a collection, "Pieces d'Orgue," published by J. Fischer & Bro. in 1953. It is dedicated: "au R. P. D. L. Clemen".

Photos of Paul Benoit, and the Abbey at Clairvaux are attached below.