Role

:

Composer

Death

:

1707

Period

:

Renaissance

Genre

:

Choral

 

Nicolas Gigault was a French Baroque composer and organist who lived from 1627 to 1707. He was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and began his musical education at a young age. His father was a musician, and he likely received his first lessons from him. He later studied with the renowned organist Jacques Boyvin in Paris. Gigault's career as a musician began in earnest when he was appointed organist at the church of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs in Paris in 1652. He held this position for over 50 years, until his death. During this time, he also served as organist at several other churches in Paris, including Saint-Merry and Saint-Eustache. Gigault was known for his virtuosic organ playing and his skill as an improviser. He was also a prolific composer, and his works were widely performed during his lifetime. His most famous work is his Livre de musique pour l'orgue, which was published in 1685. This collection of organ music includes a variety of pieces, including preludes, fugues, and dances. One of the highlights of Gigault's Livre de musique pour l'orgue is his Suite du premier ton. This suite consists of several movements, including a prelude, a fugue, and a chaconne. The prelude is a lively and virtuosic piece that showcases Gigault's skill as an improviser. The fugue is a more structured piece that demonstrates his mastery of counterpoint. The chaconne is a dance-like piece that features a repeating bass line and variations on a melody. Another notable work in Gigault's Livre de musique pour l'orgue is his Suite du deuxième ton. This suite includes a prelude, a fugue, and several dances, including a courante, a sarabande, and a gigue. The prelude is a lively and virtuosic piece that features rapid runs and arpeggios. The fugue is a more structured piece that showcases Gigault's skill as a contrapuntist. The dances are all lively and rhythmic, and they demonstrate Gigault's skill at writing for the keyboard. In addition to his Livre de musique pour l'orgue, Gigault also composed several other works for the organ. These include his Livre de noëls, which consists of arrangements of popular Christmas carols, and his Livre de pièces d'orgue, which includes a variety of pieces, including preludes, fugues, and dances. Gigault's music was highly regarded during his lifetime, and he was considered one of the leading organists and composers of his time. His music was widely performed in France and beyond, and it influenced many other composers of the Baroque era. Despite his success as a composer and organist, little is known about Gigault's personal life. He never married, and he lived a quiet and unassuming life in Paris. He died in 1707, at the age of 80, and was buried in the church of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs, where he had served as organist for over 50 years. Today, Gigault's music is still performed and recorded by organists around the world. His Livre de musique pour l'orgue remains one of the most important collections of organ music from the Baroque era, and his works continue to be admired for their virtuosity, creativity, and beauty.

More....