When I started studying the organ at age 11, my parents selected a teacher for me, Dr. Norman S. Wright, who was a student of Dupré's. I even remember that Dr. Wright had an autographed copy of the above photo hanging in his music studio. He was still in close communication with Dupré and sent some of his most promising students to Paris to study with the master. After I had been studying for three years, Dr. Wright recommended me to Dupré and I was accepted to study for a summer in Paris. Unfortunately, Dupré passed away just before I was to do this!

In any case, my studies with Dr. Wright were definitely based on the French school of organ pedagogy. In addition to studying the works of Bach and the works of great French composers (including Dupré), I was given lessons in harmony and improvisation. All of these served me very well as I continued with other teachers and professionally.

One of the first things Dr. Wright asked my parents to do was purchase a copy of Dupré's 79 Chorales for the Organ. For the duration of my studies with Dr Wright, I would play these short chorales as intended as stepping stones to learning Bach's Orgelbüchlein. In fact, I have only rarely heard any of these chorales performed on their own in recitals or even recorded.

Recently, I recorded a few of these as demonstrations pieces for a couple of French-style organ sample sets I had developed. This revived my interest in the chorales. They are actually little gems of composition in their own right. The only thing they have going against them as solo organ pieces is their length – the longest are only a bit over two minutes.

I decided to record all of the 79 chorales as one of my music projects – and hence here they are.

All but number 41 (In Dulci Jubilo) were recorded on me "Alan's CC Organ" which is a sample set intended to approximate the organ in Ste. Clotilde. in Paris at the time of César Franck. This is because I had already recorded number 41 a few years ago using my "Les' CC Organ" which is an approximation of the organ in St. Sernin in Toulouse. In fact, I played this through twice to show off additional registrations, so it is close to four minutes long!

Those who want to try playing these will find the score available in IMSLP.