Félix Alexandre Guilmant

Synopsis

French Composer, Concert Organist, and Teacher, Editor

• Born on March 12, 1837 in Boulogne-ser-Mer, France
• His father Jean-Baptiste Guilmant, organist of St. Nicolas, Boulogne, was his first music teacher
• At the same time he took harmony lessons with Gustav Carulli
• From an early age he was devoted to music and the organ. He rigorously practiced, composed and studied treatises
• 1853 at age 16 he became organist of St Joseph
• 1855 he composed his first Messe solemnelle in F
• He taught solfege at the Ecolee Communale de Musique
• 1860 He went to Brussels to study with J. N. Lemmens
• 1862 He inaugurated a new organ at Aristide Cavaille-Coll in Paris at St. Sulpice
• 1868 He inaugurated a new organ at Notre Dame
• 1871 He became the organist at La Trinite
• 1878 He became the resident organist of the Palais du Trocadero
• During this time he decided to pursue a parallel career as a recitalist
• He edited and published forgotten works of Titelouze, Grigny, Clerambault, and Couperin
• He also loved new music from Liszt, Schumann, Rheinberger, Franck, Saint-Saens, Widor and S. S. Wesley
• He would also program Handel's organ concertos, and transcriptions of Berlioz and Wagner
• He toured throughout Europe, Britain, and America
• He was known for his impeccable technique, precision and rhythmic clarity. He also was known for his registration choices
• 1894 he joined with Vincent d'Indy and CharlesBordes to found the Schola Cantorum, where they intended to continue the tradition of Franck
• 1896-1911 He succeeded Widor as the organ professor at the Paris Conservatoire.
• There he taught Dupre, Nadia Boulanger, Clarence Eddy, and William C. Carl.
• Died on March 29, 1911 in Meudon, France

For details, see the Alexandre Guilmant article on Wikipedia.

List of Organ Works

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Background and General Perspectives on Performing Guilmant Organ Works

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Registration and Organs

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Fingering and Pedaling

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Articulation and Phrasing

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Ornamentation

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Tempo and Meter

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Scores and Editions

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Recordings

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Other Resources

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Notes

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