Modern French composer, organist and improviser, Jean Langlais (1907-1991) studied at the Paris Conservatoire where he won many prizes. He is best remembered for his Masses and Organ works, Nine Pieces being no exception.

Published in 1945, the Nine Pieces for Organ reflect Langlais' compositional uses of Gregorian chant and polymodal harmonies. The Nine Pieces are entitled; 1) Song of Sorrow, 2) Song of Joy, 3) Song of Peace, 4) Heroic Song, 5) In quiet Joy, 6) Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, 7) My soul longeth to depart in peace, 8) Prelude on an Anthem, and 9) Gregorian Rhapsody. All movements of Langlais' Nine Pieces for Organ are highly modern, yet provide an exciting and varied piece for the advanced level organist's repertoire.