Inspired by a friend who was a flutist, he composed the setting of the Latin Mass ordinary for soprano, alto, flute and string quartet or organ.

Jehan Alain was regarded as an exceptional musical talent when he was shot in World War II, not even 30 years old.

[1] The Messe modale en septuor was performed by soloist singers and instruments during Alain's centennial celebration in 2011, at the Christuskirche, the German church of Paris, organised by Helga Schauerte-Maubouet.

[14] The mass was recorded in 1990 (released in 1991) with Solistes de Camerata Saint-Louis, flutist Françoise Gyps, soprano Delphine Collot, contralto Gaelle Cheramy, and the Quatuor Ludwig, conducted by Georges Guillard.

It was recorded in 2014 (released in 2016) by the Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne conducted by Michel Corboz, as part of a collection Schola aeterna : Chants à la vierge, focused on French sacred music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.