SKU: S9.Q22734

Naji Hakim, born in Beirut in 1955, is counted among the most important of present-day organists and organ composers. He studied organ with Jean Langlais at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, was organist at Sacré-Cœur in Paris from 1985-93 and then succeeded Olivier Messiaen as organist at the Église de la Trinité. He gives concerts throughout the world, works as a professor at the Conservatoire de Musique in Boulogne, and holds a visiting professorship at the RoyalAcademy in London.In his organ works, Naji Hakim often draws his thematic material from the Gregorian chant, thesaurus of the Roman Catholic Church, which is regarded as essential part of the liturgy even by Vatican II. This paraphrase of the antiphon to the virgin, 'Salve Regina', is based on the plainsong theme (solemn tone). The Gregorian line is unchanged; it evolves slowly above an expressive harmony. The text of the prayer is underlined by the meditative, soft and peaceful character.

SKU: A0.836823

Micro Suíte Pernambucana is a proposal to use the rhythms of northeastern Brazil, with a sound based on the limited transposition modes of Olivier Messiaen.

SKU: S9.Q6207

Charles Louis Eugène Koechlin (1867-1950) studied with Massenet and Fauré and founded the Société Musicale Indépendante together with Ravel, Schmitt, Caplet and Huré. Poulenc and Sauguet were two of his students. Koechlin's organ composition is published in a two-volume edition for the first time. That this is a very important oeuvre becomes clear from the fact that the premières were performed by important organists: Olivier Messiaen played the Chorale op. 90 and Maurice Duruflé the first Sonatina. An interesting edition for concerts, competitions and liturgy.

SKU: A0.1173365

Bagetelles Chanteés

by Alexander Liebermann

For Piano and Soprano, Early Advanced, 10 Pages

SKU: A0.1027605

The Missa Sanctae Mariae Virginis – literally Mass of Saint Mary the Virgin – was composed for the Episcopal church of Saint Mary the Virgin, New York City, where the composer was Music Director & Organist from 2008 to 2013. The Kyrie was composed in 2016. The title makes reference to the name of the church, but also makes reference to the principal source of inspiration: two ancient plainsong melodies that accompany Marian texts (Salve regina and Ave maris stella). The Mass is composed in a vain that is influenced by the great parody Masses of Renaissance masters Palestrina, Lassus, and others. Nods are also made to the twentieth century, and particularly to the music of Herbert Howells and the Anglican tradition, and also to Jean Langlais, Olivier Messiaen, and similar French musical trends. It features a wide range of moods, from scintillating and exotic harmonies to thrilling rhythmic passages. The work is composed for 8-part choir with solo sections for additional voices from within the choir. The Mass can be performed complete as part of a church service. Likewise, any of the movements will work as independent compositions which makes them suitable for concert performance. Please visit www.jameskennerley.com for complete biographical information and for links to recorded performances of this work.

SKU: A0.507255

Apus, Late Intermediate Piano Solo, is the name for the southern hemisphere constellation representing the Bird of Paradise. However, the name actually translates as “footless�, owing to the Dutch explorer’s mistaken belief that the bird had no feet. The Bird of Paradise does have feet as well as beautiful feathers. This piece is based on the octatonic scale (semi-tone, tone alternating series) which was often used by Olivier Messiaen, who (by the way) incorporated bird song into some of his compositions. This mysterious sounding piece is from “88 Constellations� a collection by Heather Cattanach featuring one piece of piano music for each of the 88 constellations (to match the number of keys on a standard piano). Performance Time 2 minutes. 2 pages. (General Instructional, Modern, Repertoire, Recital, 21st Century).