Alexandre Guilmant

Félix Alexandre Guilmant ( born March 12, 1837 in Boulogne -sur -Mer, † March 29, 1911 in Meudon ) was a French organist and composer.

Biography

Guilmant studied first with his father, the organist Jean -Baptiste Guilmant (1793-1890), then with Gustave Carulli (1801-1876), later in Brussels with Jacques -Nicolas Lemmens. He was hired at the Conservatory in his native town, already with 16 years as organist, with 20 as a conductor and teacher.

At the inauguration of the organ of Saint- Sulpice Church and the organ of Notre- Dame de Paris cathedral his game attracted so much attention that he was hired in 1871 as titular organist at La Trinité, succeeding Charles -Alexis Chauvet.

Extraordinary successes he achieved in his concert tours through England, Italy, Russia and Riga, and also by his concerts on the organ of the Trocadero - hall in 1878 during the Paris World Exhibition.

From 1896 to 1900 he was head of the Schola Cantorum in Paris.

Through his compositions, such as the Symphony for Organ and Orchestra and the eight organ sonatas Guilmant contributed significantly to the formation of an independent French- Romantic symphonic organ style.

Works (selection)

  • 4 Measure, 1856-1859
  • Motets and litanies, 1856-1891, including: Quam dilecta op 8, 12 Motets, Op 14, Op 64 vincit Christ, Ecce panis op 66, Pie Jesu, Op 73
  • Männerchöre: C'est la grande fête de l' onde (1866 ), Saint Geneviève de Paris ( 1873-1875, unfinished)
  • Songs: Ce que dit le silence (1876 )
  • Balthazar, scène lyrique for choir, soloists and Orch op 51
  • Ariane, symphony - cantate op 53
  • Chamber music: Prière for cello and piano, Op 22, 2 Romances sans paroles, Op 67 Berceuse op 79, Morceau Symphonique Op 88 for Trombone and Piano
  • Symphony in D minor, Op 42 for Organ and Orchestra (after the Organ Sonata No.1 )
  • Symphony in A major, Op 91 for Organ and Orchestra (after the Organ Sonata No. 8 )
  • Marche elegiaque c minor op 74/1 for Organ, 2 Oboes and Strings
  • Sonata No.1 in D minor, Op 42
  • Sonata No.2 in D major Op 50
  • Sonata No.3 in C minor, Op 56
  • Sonata No.4 in D minor, Op 61
  • Sonata No.5 in C minor, Op 80
  • Sonata No.6 in B minor, Op 86
  • Sonata No.7 in F major, Op 89
  • Sonata No.8 in A major, Op 91
  • L' Organiste pratique
  • L' Organiste liturgiste, op.65
  • Communion op.82.1
  • Contemplation op.82.2
  • Pièces dans differents styles
  • Chant et Noël ( op.93 )
  • 3 Morceaux d' Orgue, Op.18a
Clarence Eddy France Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens Exposition Universelle (1878) Schola Cantorum de Paris Charles Quef Integrated Authority File
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