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In 1930, Jean Langlais won a First Prize in organ at the Paris Conservatory in the class of Marcel Dupré. However, at the age of 23, he dedicated his first work as a young composer to the piano. Written for the talented pianist Ida Périn, one of his favourite interpreters, this Moto perpetuo requires considerable virtuosity. He himself provided the following analysis: "The Mouvement Perpétuel is written in a free mode of eight notes. In ternary form, it is based on two themes, stated successively, then blended. An uninterrupted movement of semiquavers runs through this piece, hence its title. All harmonic idea was voluntarily abandoned, and counterpoint alone governs its elaboration."
Marie-Louise Langlais
Extract from CD booklet Musique de Chambre avec Piano (March 2001)
