acques-Nicolas (Jaak-Nicolaas) Lemmens (1823 -- 1881),
was an organist and composer for his instrument. He was
born at Zoerle-Parwijs, near Westerlo, Belgium, Lemmens
took lessons from François-Joseph Fétis, who wanted
to make him into a musician capable of renewing the
organ-player's art in Belgium. Fétis sent him to Adolf
Friedrich Hesse in Germany to learn Johann Sebastian
Bach's tradition.
In 1847, Lemmens won the Paris Conservatoire's
prestigious Prix de Rome with his Le roi Lea...(+)
acques-Nicolas (Jaak-Nicolaas) Lemmens (1823 -- 1881),
was an organist and composer for his instrument. He was
born at Zoerle-Parwijs, near Westerlo, Belgium, Lemmens
took lessons from François-Joseph Fétis, who wanted
to make him into a musician capable of renewing the
organ-player's art in Belgium. Fétis sent him to Adolf
Friedrich Hesse in Germany to learn Johann Sebastian
Bach's tradition.
In 1847, Lemmens won the Paris Conservatoire's
prestigious Prix de Rome with his Le roi Lear ("King
Lear"). One year later he published his first work for
organ: Dix improvisations dans le style sévère et
chantant ("Ten improvisations in a strict and singing
style"). In March 1849 he was appointed organ teacher
at the Royal Brussels Conservatoire, aged only 26; and
he trained numerous young musicians, including two
eminent Frenchmen, Alexandre Guilmant and Charles-Marie
Widor.
During 1852 he gave organ recitals in Saint Vincent de
Paul, La Madeleine and Saint Eustache churches in
Paris, where he stunned audiences with his technique.
Particularly notable was his brilliant pedal-playing,
which owed a good deal to his studies of Bach's music
(at the time Bach's organ works were not at all well
known in France). In 1857 he married the English
soprano Helen Sherrington (1834--1906), who in the
following decade emerged as a leading English concert
and operatic singer. He died at Zemst, near Mechelen,
Belgium.
Ave verum corpus is a short Eucharistic hymn that has
been set to music by various composers. It dates from
the 14th century and has been attributed to Pope
Innocent VI. During the Middle Ages it was sung at the
elevation of the host during the consecration. It was
also used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament.
Although originally written for Voice (B) and Organ, I
created this arrangement for Viola & Concert (Pedal)
Harp.
