Psallite Domino, qui ascendit super coelos coelorum ad orientem. Alleluia.

Sing ye to the Lord, who mounteth above the heaven of heavens, to the east. Alleluia.

Psallite Domino

Charles Tournemire is best known for his monumental L’Orgue Mystique, a collection of 51 cycles of organ pieces for each Sunday of the year, all the pieces being based on Gregorian chant. This extract from the cycle L’Ascension is based on the chant Psallite Domino, sung at Communion on Ascension Day.

The crowned angel here seems to be ascending to the heavens. To its left, Chagall has discreetly inscribed “Vava”, referring to his second wife Valentina. A small reaching hand is depicted at the very top of the window.