Léon Boëllmann

Léon Boëllmann ( born September 25, 1862 in Ensisheim ( Haut-Rhin), † October 11th 1897 in Paris) was a French organist and composer.

Life

Léon Boëllmann already showed exceptional musical talent in childhood and was admitted to the École Niedermeyer in Paris in 1875. His teachers there were, among others Eugène Gigout and Gustave Lefèvre. He received excellent evaluations in all subjects, and finally a diploma as an organist and cantor, which earned him his first position as organist of the choir organ in St. Vincent de Paul in Paris ( 1881).

Six years later he was appointed cantor and organist of the main organ of St. Vincent de Paul. This instrument was an award-winning organ of the Paris organ builder Aristide Cavaillé -Coll of 1855. After the death of his parents, his uncle and teacher Eugène Gigout was his adoptive father, which he helpful in the following years in his newly founded school for organ, improvisation and Gregorian chant stood to the side. Musical Boëllmann wrote under a pseudonym for the magazine type. As a pianist and organist Boëllmann was heard not only in France but also in the rest of Europe.

Boëllmanns compositions include works for organ or harmonium and piano and symphonic music, chamber music, songs, choral works and an opera. His best known and most widely today to listening work is the Suite gothique, Op 25

The Heures Mystique op 29-30 originated from Boëllmanns sketches book, who accompanied him on his trips to his homeland to Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands and Belgium. In 1896 Boëllmann brought out the Heures Mystique, where the pieces are primarily intended for the harmonium, but have a place at the organ. The compositions are distinguished by their elegant voice leading and poetry with titles like Entrée, Offertoire, Elevation, Communion, sorting and dislocations.

Organ Works

  • Suite gothique, Op. 25
  • Deuxième Suite Op. 27
  • Heures Mystique Op. 29, 30
  • 26 versettes
  • 5 versettes on the Magnificat on the 5th tone
  • Fantasy dialogée for Organ and Orchestra Op. 35
Louis Niedermeyer Integrated Authority File
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