Alain on Alain (Part 1)

…the famous French recitalist, recording artist and teacher Marie-Claire Alain talks about her life and shares her music.

With more than 200 albums to her credit, she is synonymous with the art of French organ music today. On our next Pipedreams program, Marie-Claire Alain talks about her family’s history, including the time when her organist father built an instrument for their home, upon which her older brother composed some of the foremost works of the 20th century. Meanwhile, this little black sheep of the talented Alain family grew up to be a famous teacher and recitalist who helped popularize the French Classics, and has recorded the complete works of Bach three times.

Marie-Claire Alain talks and plays from the heart. She is a vital force in broadening the French musical perspective. Daughter and sister, teacher and recitalist, she has lived a life with and for music. Hear her story Alain on Alain this week on Pipedreams.

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

•February 12, 2001 as Show #0107

•July 9, 2007 as Show #0728

Links and Resources:

Printable program listings

Listen to audio excerpts of an interview Michael conducted with Marie-Claire

> Becoming a musician…
> What makes a good teacher…
> The family pipe organ…
> Recording for the Erato label…
> Difficulties being a female organist…
> The wide range from German Baroque to French Romantic…
> Marcel Dupré as a teacher…

Music played in the program

ALBERT ALAIN: Toccata, Cantemus Domino –Marie-Claire Alain (1862 Cavaillé-Coll/Église Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France) Erato ECD-4509-94812

ALBERT ALAIN: Andantino –Marie-Claire Alain (Alain Family organ/Maison de la Dime, Romainmotier, Switzerland) Gallo CD-683

LOUIS-CLAUDE DAQUIN: Noël sur les jeux d’anches, Number 6 –Marie-Claire Alain (1991 Goll/French Reformed Church, Bern, Switzerland) Erato ECD-0630-10703

J.S. BACH: Bourrée, from Suite Number 3 in D, S. 1068 –Guy Touvron, trumpet; Marie-Claire Alain (1971 Schwenkedel/Église Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin, Paris, France) Erato ECD-85367

DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE: Toccata in F, Bux. 156 –Marie-Claire Alain (1692 Arp Schnitger [plus additions]/Martinikerk, Groningen, The Netherlands) Erato ECD-0630-12979

J.S. BACH: Pedal-Exercitium in g, S. 598 –Marie-Claire Alain (1963 Marcussen/St. Peter Cathedral, Schleswig, Germany) MHS LP-776/7

J.S. BACH: Prelude & Fugue in g, S. 535 –Marie-Claire Alain (1714 Gottfried Silbermann/Freiberg Cathedral, Germany) Erato ECD-96719

JEHAN ALAIN: Intermezzo –Marie-Claire Alain (1752 Valtrin; 1848 Callinet; 1971 Schwenkedel/Basilique Saint-Christophe, Belfort, France) Erato ECD-81942

J.S. BACH: Chorale-prelude, Wir glauben all, S. 680 –Marie-Claire Alain (1692 Arp Schnitger [plus additions]/Martinikerk, Groningen, The Netherlands) Erato ECD-4509-96724

CÉSAR FRANCK: Cantabile –Marie-Claire Alain (1885 Cavaillé-Coll/Abbaye aux Hommes [Saint-Etienne], Caen, France) Erato ECD-0630-12706

J.S. BACH: Prelude & Fugue in A, S. 536 –Marie-Claire Alain (1975 Kern/Église Saint-Martin, Masevaux, France\) Erato ECD-4509-96744

Filler –CLAUDE BALBASTRE: Noel, Votre bonte, Grand Dieu, Erato ECD-10703; see above

With more than 200 albums to her credit, ranging from the French Baroque to Messiaen and including three cycles of the complete works of Bach, Marie-Claire Alain stands as one of the best known, and best loved among today’s organists. A second program, devoted to the compositions of Madame Alain’s older brother, Jehan Alain, will be broadcast next week.