Jehan Alain

Born into a musical household, Alain received his earliest instruction on the organ from his father, Albert Alain. He subsequently devoted twelve years to the study of harmony and organ at the Paris Conservatoire. Throughout his brief existence, composition formed the core of his artistic focus. His exceptional command as a performer shaped the originality of his creative output in decisive ways. Drawing inspiration from Debussy, Satie, and Messiaen, he fashioned impressionistic and imaginative keyboard pieces. Alain fell in combat during WWII at the age of 29.