An analysis of the influence of improvisation on selected chant -based organ works of Naji Hakim

Naji Subhy Paul Irénée Hakim, born in 1955 in Beirut, Lebanon, is one of the most recent representatives of the impressive French tradition of organist-composer-improvisers. Many of Hakim\u27s organ works incorporate Gregorian chant. This study provides a brief biography of Naji Hakim and a detailed analysis of three of his chant-based organ works composed between 1993 and 2001. The compositions examined are Mariales (1993), Vexilla Regis Prodeunt (1994), and In Organo, Chordis et Choro (2001). Hakim, like his teacher Jean Langlais, is renowned for his skills as an improviser. His compositional style exhibits similarities to his improvising. This study summarizes Hakim\u27s improvisation techniques as detailed in his book, The Improvisation Companion, published in 2000. It then examines three of his chant-based organ works, with the intent of showing those elements of his compositional style that are parallel to his improvisation techniques. The document also includes a short description of his organ studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, where he obtained first prizes in organ performance, organ improvisation, harmony, counterpoint, fugue, analysis, and orchestration