Jean Langlais: The Man and His Music - Hardcover

by Ann Labounsky (Author), Jean Langlais (Composer)

Jean Langlais (1907-1991) was among the foremost French musicians of his time. He was the successor to the musical tradition established by César Franck and, like him, was organist at the church of Sainte Clotilde in Paris. Though blind from early childhood, he became one of the most celebrated touring virtuos of his time, his legendary recitals always concluding with an improvisation upon a submitted theme. Langlais wrote a body of music for organ second only in extent to that of Bach, and his compositions for organ remain widely played. This biography by one of his favorite pupils examines both his life and music. HARDCOVER.

Author Biography

Ann Labounsky, Ph.D., is chair of organ and sacred music at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She studied with Jean Langlais in Paris and accompanied him as guide and interpreter on his 1964 U.S. tour. As well as asking her to be his biographer, Langlais authorized Labounsky to record his complete organ works, a monumental twelve volume project for the Musical Heritage Society started in 1979 and still in progress. Volume nine will be released in October 2000.