MAURICE DURUFLE: PRELUDE AND FUGUE ON THE NAME 'A.L.A.I.N.' Performed by Paul Derrett

This is a live recording from
HULL CITY HALL, UK
made on Wednesday 3rd February 2016
at a public lunchtime recital.

MAURICE DURUFLE:
PRELUDE AND FUGUE ON THE NAME 'A.L.A.I.N.'
performed by Paul Derrett

The death of Jehan Alain (1911-1940, killed in action) was regarded as a great tragedy in the world of French music. Although aged only 29, he had already published several important works for the organ, the most popular of which, Litanies, would probably be on anyone's shortlist of the finest works written for the organ in the 20th century. Maurice Durufle (1902-1986) was a fellow-organist in Paris at the time and had studied with some of the same professors as Alain at the Paris Conservatoire. His response to this great loss is a sterling work in its own right. It was published in 1943, i.e. while the war was still raging in Europe! The theme is derived from Alain's name, using the usual notes for A, B, C, D etc. and simply continuing up the keyboard when these run out. The piece also quotes the main theme from Litanies. It is a particularly heart-felt tribute to a much-missed friend; a soft but complex prelude is followed by an increasingly intense fugue. It finishes in a blaze of glory.

The organ at Hull City Hall was originally built in 1911 by Forster & Andrews of Hull to the design of J. Arthur Meale. It was rebuilt in 1950 by John Compton & Co. and last overhauled in 1991 by Rushworth & Dreaper Ltd. At 141 speaking stops (not counting percussions) and more than 100 individual ranks it is presently the third-largest pipe organ in the U.K. Recitals are regularly promoted on it: the first Wednesday of each month will usually find an Organ Showcase recital at 12.30pm when the recitalist will be a well-known performer from this country or overseas. Anyone interested to hear this splendid instrument 'live' is recommended to visit www.organrecitals.com where details of the current year's programme can be found.

Further information about Paul Derrett can be found on his website www.paulderrett.co.uk The Hull City Hall website can be found at www.hcandl.co.uk/hullcityhall

Video Recording: David Bradfield
2nd Camera: Zak Foster
Audio Recording: David Rogers

Still Photography by
Unique Images Hull

An Xperimental Production
copyright Paul Derrett 2016