Cortège et Litanie (for Organ and Wind Ensemble) by Marcel Dupré, arr. by Jared Beu (World Premiere)

World premiere performance of Marcel Dupré's (1886-1971) Cortège et Litanie, arranged for Organ and Wind Ensemble by Jared Beu (b. 1993), by the Meadows Wind Ensemble, Jack Delaney (conductor), featuring Charlie Eidelman (organ). Performed Friday, April 26, 2024 in Caruth Auditorium at the Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, USA.
While not well known outside the world of pipe organ, Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) left a profound impact during the twentieth century through pedagogy and composition. Born into a wealthy musical family in Rouen, France, his teachers included Alexandre Guilmant, Louis Vierne, and Charles-Marie Widor-whom he succeeded in 1934 as the organist at St. Sulpice in Paris. During his career, he taught many prominent French and American organists and introduced a young Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) to the instrument. For Messiaen, the organ would remain primary throughout his career as one of the most important composers of modern music. Dupré’s compositions and pedagogy have had a significant and lasting impact on organists, yet the majority of his contributions remain largely unknown amongst other musicians and audiences. Cortège et Litanie was composed originally as “Op. 19, No.2” for
piano, although it was Dupré’s setting for solo organ that became his most popular and enduring work.
A “cortege” is a solemn procession often associated with funerals - a “litany” in a series of prayers and humble requests by the clergy in a service or procession with a recurring response by the people. The music begins in the brief Cortege with a simple, yet passionate chorale, featuring bell motifs hinting at a bright destination on the path ahead. Starting darkly with a lone flute, the Litanie offers a repetitive sequence of questioning motifs with increasing insistence and sincerity. With light always on the horizon, the Litanie reaches a climax at the optimistic return of the opening chorale in the pipe organ and woodwinds amongst the growing chatter of brass and bells. After the brass joins the chorus with the organ in the finale of the chorale, the chimes and bells lead the conclusion of the work in its ecstatic coda.
Cortège et Litanie was a favorite work of my early childhood piano, organ, and composition teacher, Nevin (Scott) McNulty, who I remember was especially fond of the sound of bells and chimes with the organ. He found the final minutes of the Dupre uniquely powerful and joyous and wished for an original composition for the organ based upon it - one day I intend to complete it. This setting is an intermediate step towards that piece and, with prominent bells and chimes, is dedicated in loving memory to Mr. McNulty (1960-2021), and was written with love for Dr. Jack Delaney and the Meadows Wind Ensemble.

[@rebeccamcnulty4123]

A powerful arrangement! Scott would appreciate the the remembrance. I look forward to hearing the full piece one day. I am sure he is smiling right now -- I certainly am, with a few tears.

[@germanyduke7814]

Como podría contactar al compositor para unos arreglos similares a los del video, son geniales!