Through Thierry chion
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The first weekend of October marks the 50e anniversary of the death of Marcel Dupre. Two days of tribute to this musician from Rouen will take place on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October at the initiative of the Arigot (Association for the instrumental reconstruction of the great organ in the tribune of Notre-Dame cathedral). Exhibition, conferences, recitals … a free festival around theorgan.
Marcel Dupre
Marcel Dupré was born on May 3, 1886, rue du Vert Buisson in Rouen, into a widely recognized family of musicians: his father and grandfather are organists, his mother a cellist. From the age of 8 he performed in public at the inauguration of an organ in Elbeuf. At the age of 11, he was appointed holder of the great organ of Saint-Vivien church. At 16, he perfected his skills at the Paris Conservatory where he won first prize in 1905. A true musical phenomenon! At the age of 20, he took over from Charles-Marie Widor at the great organ of the Saint-Sulpice church in Paris.
First Grand Prix de Rome in 1914 for his cantata Psyché op.4, he devoted himself to teaching at the Paris Conservatory and at the American Conservatory of Fontainebleau. He undertakes incredible tours in the United States, Canada, England and of course France. He participated in the reopening of Rouen Cathedral in the presence of President Coty and inaugurated the Jacquot-Lavergne organ, the great organ, with the creation of the “France au calvaire” oratorio for solos, choirs, orchestra and organ.
In October 1965, he recorded two discs on the Cavaillé-Coll organ of the Saint-Ouen abbey in Rouen. He will have a meteoric career as a composer, teacher and performer. He is considered to be the founder of the French organ school all over the world.
On May 30, 1971, he died in Meudon where he was buried.
On the program this weekend
The conferences announced at Rouen Cathedral:
- Saturday 2 October 2021, at 11 a.m., History of the choir organ of the Cathedral by François Menissier, professor at the conservatory, in charge of the organs of the City of Rouen. Concert by Monika Dabrowska-Benzelin, holder of the Cavaillé-Coll at Rouen Cathedral.
- Sunday October 3, 2021, at 3 p.m., History of the great organ of Rouen Cathedral by Florent Dusson, organist in Bihorel, vice-president of Arigot, with the participation of Lionel Coulon, holder of the great organ of the Cathedral.
The planned recitals:
- Saturday 2 October 2021, at 4.30 p.m., Daniel Roth, holder of the Cavaillé Coll organ at Saint-Sulpice church in Paris, successor to Marcel Dupré.
- Sunday October 3, 2021, at 4.30 p.m., Johann Vexo, choir organist of Notre-Dame de Paris, holder of the grand-organ Cavaillé-Coll de Nancy. At 5.45 p.m., carillon concert, given by Patrice Latour, owner.
Finally for visits and slide show:
- Saturday 2 October 2021, at 2 p.m., tours of the grand-organ of the cathedral, led by Lionel Coulon. Visits to the Cathedral by Pierre Barbary, organist, president of Arigot. At 3.30 p.m. slide show on the life of Marcel Dupré by Christian Lorandin, pianist, critic and music editor.
From our correspondent André Morelle
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