LANGLAIS, JEAN  BIOGRAPHY

A pupil of Dukas and of Marcel Dupré, the French organist Jean Langlais had his earlier training at the Institution des Jeunes Aveugles (Institution for the Young Blind), where he later taught. He was appointed organist at Ste Clotilde in Paris in 1945 and had a career as a concert performer.

Organ Music

The organ music of Jean Langlais reflects his profound religious faith and makes frequent use of Gregorian chant as its basis. He wrote organ symphonies, suites, meditations on the liturgy and voluntaries, in addition to works scored for organ with other instruments.

Vocal Music

Church music by Langlais includes settings of the Mass, notably the Mass Salve Regina and the Mass Orbis Factor.

Choral Music

The choral music of Langlais is principally religious in form, including a Messe solennelle, Missa in simplicitate, and a Solemn Mass 'Orbis Factor', as well as Psalms for four voices, chorus, organ, brass and timpani. His Canticle of the Sun, written in 1968, is scored for soprano and mezzo-soprano soloists and organ.