January 28, 2021--Chorale Prelude on Rorate Caeli by Jeanne Demessieux

This is a piece I've played for a couple years now, but decided to record it just today. It is one of the collection of Choral-Preludes on Gregorian Themes, Op. 8. I am so glad to have discovered this composer's works and plan to try some more of her organ and piano works. She has a unique harmonic language that becomes more exciting the more it is studied.

The original Gregorian chant sung during the Advent season uses the words "Drop down dew, ye Heavens". The chant itself depicts this line in a descending line of an octave (from high D to middle D), the dew dropping gently. The setting by Demessieux uses only the responsorial part of the chant which includes these words. Demessieux's setting is an elaboration on the chant, but does not disrupt this particular part of the descending line. It actually seems to highlight the shape of the line with the use of a variety of suspensions and intriguing harmonies.

I used a Cornet (Flute 8', Principal 4', Nazard 2 2/3', Gemshorn 2', and Tierce 1 3/5) for the melodic line played on the swell. I felt the melody didn't need a tremolo. The accompaniment on the Great was a Bourdon 8' and a Holz Gedakt 8'. The pedal was a Subbass 16' and Principal 8'.