Role

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Composer  

Birth

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July 20, 1935 in Saint-Dizier, France

Period

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Contemporary

Genre

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Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

André Isoir was a French classical music artist who was widely regarded as one of the greatest organists of his generation. Born on July 20, 1935, in Saint-Dizier, France, Isoir showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. However, it was not until he was introduced to the organ at the age of 14 that he found his true calling. Isoir began his formal musical education at the Conservatoire de Nancy, where he studied under the renowned organist and composer, Gaston Litaize. He later continued his studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he was a student of Rolande Falcinelli. During this time, Isoir also studied composition with Olivier Messiaen, who had a profound influence on his musical style. In 1960, Isoir won first prize in the prestigious International Organ Competition in Munich, which launched his career as a soloist. He went on to perform at some of the world's most renowned concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Isoir was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, and he recorded the complete organ works of Bach on the historic organs of Saint-Séverin and Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris. His recordings of Bach's music are considered some of the finest ever made, and they have been praised for their clarity, precision, and emotional depth. In addition to his work as a soloist, Isoir was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught at the Conservatoire de Paris for many years, and his students included some of the most talented young organists of his generation. Isoir received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Grand Prix du Disque, the Diapason d'Or, and the Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros. He was also made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in recognition of his contributions to French culture. Isoir continued to perform and record well into his seventies, and he remained an active and influential figure in the world of classical music until his death on July 20, 2016, at the age of 81. His legacy as one of the greatest organists of all time lives on through his recordings and the many students he inspired and mentored throughout his long and illustrious career.

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