Jongen: Couleurs Retrouvees - Autour Des Ouvres [CD]

This recording highlights the early organ works of Joseph Jongen, a major figure in Belgian music at the turn of the 20th century. Composed during a period of profound transformation in the aesthetics of organ music, these pieces demonstrate the composer's keen attention to the evolution of the instrument and it's musical language. Rooted in the Belgian Romantic tradition, they draw upon the legacy of Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens and Alphonse Mailly, while already revealing a strong artistic personality. The influence of Cesar Franck is particularly evident in the harmonic richness and expressiveness of the musical discourse. The Pastorale from Opus 5 especially illustrates this sonic exploration and hints at the impressionistic colors that would characterize the composer's mature works. Through this program, the listener discovers the beginnings of a refined musical language that would fully blossom in Jongen's later output.