Guilain | Suite du Premier Ton | Organ + Chant Alternatim

Not very often do we get to hear these French Baroque works with the chant that accompanies them. Thus, it was such a joy to put this recording together with the women's chorus of the Schola at the St. Lawrence Center. Contextually, this piece would form a part of sung Vespers (Evening Prayer) - this being the Canticle of Mary, or the Magnificat.
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Organ - Aidan Hill
Choir - Megan Hill, Kate Blase, Mary Morgan, Maria Murungi, Ann Pham, Abigail Werth
Recorded at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas, 2024.
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Some ideas for how I paired the organ parts with their verses:
2) "And my spirit exults..." - the shimmering brilliant sound of the organ, literally exulting as an instrument.
4) "done great things...holy is His Name." - a three voice movement, indicative of the Holy Trinity. Perhaps each voice may represent a person. The two on the Cornet (right hand) being the Father and the Son and the Cromorne (left hand) being the Holy Spirit, that which proceeds from and overshadows the Virgin.
6) "...strength in his arm." The abrasive Base de Trompette tells of this attribute quite appropriately.
8 ) "..filled the hungry...the rich sent away empty" - a two voice piece, hollow by virtue of the thin texture. A descending motif signifying the coming down of the good things to fill the hungry, conversely a sign of God casting the rich away so that they cannot ascend to Him.
10) "As he spoke..." - the "recitative" of the Cromorne, singing ornate melodies, mirroring the eloquence of God's word to man.
12) "As it was in the beginning..." - the second half of the "Glory be." A loud conclusion not only brings the whole suite to a natural close, but finishes the sentiment of the glory of God.