Jésus console les filles d'Israël qui le suivent, Op. 29, No. 8 (Jesus comforts the women of Jerusal

Marcel Jean-Jules Dupré (3 May 1886 – 30 May 1971) was a French organist, composer, and pedagogue. He needs no introduction!

Le Chemin de la Croix, Op. 29 (The Stations of the Cross) were published by Durand in 1932. These vivid works are based upon the 14 devotionals, called stations, that are recited during Lent and at other times. They recall the Passion, Suffering and Death of Jesus.

"Jésus console les filles d'Israël qui le suivent" is the eighth station. In it, we hear an expressive dialogue between Jesus and the women of Jerusalem who are weeping for him on his way to Calvary. He tells them not to weep for him, but to weep for themselves and their children, warning them about the future suffering they will face. This station highlights Jesus's compassion and his awareness of the suffering that will befall Jerusalem and its inhabitants.

The women have a soft, tearful "murmuring" which is played upon the soft 8' and 4' stops of the Positif, while Jesus speaks in strength and comfort, played upon the Trompette 8' of the Recit.

The effect is tender and deeply expressive, and the harmonic usage is sophisticated.

The score is attached below. Also attached are several photos of Marcel Dupré, some of the church of Saint Sulpice in Paris, and the organ there, as well as a painting by Giandomenico Tiepolo, showing Jesus comforting the women of Jerusalem.

Tomorrow: "Pange Lingua" - Giovanni Battista Fasolo

Good Friday: "The Good Friday Music" (Parsifal) - Richard Wagner

Peace to All.