Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier was a French classical music artist who was born on January 8, 1921, in Louviers, France. She was the daughter of the famous French organist and composer Maurice Durufle and his wife, Marie-Madeleine Chevalier. Her father was a prominent figure in the world of classical music, and his influence played a significant role in shaping her career. Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and organ with her father. She showed exceptional talent and quickly became recognized as a prodigy. Her father recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. In 1939, at the age of 18, Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier entered the Paris Conservatory, where she studied under the tutelage of Marcel Dupre. She excelled in her studies and won several awards, including the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1947. After completing her studies, Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier embarked on a successful career as a concert organist. She performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, earning critical acclaim for her virtuosic performances. Her repertoire included works by Bach, Franck, and her father, Maurice Durufle. One of the highlights of Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier's career was her performance at the inauguration of the new organ at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 1965. She played a program of works by Bach, Franck, and her father, which was broadcast live on French television. The performance was a huge success and cemented her reputation as one of the leading organists of her time. Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier also made several recordings throughout her career, including a highly acclaimed recording of her father's organ works. Her recordings were praised for their technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. In addition to her career as a performer, Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier was also a respected teacher. She taught at the Paris Conservatory and the National Superior Conservatory of Music and Dance in Lyon, where she mentored a new generation of organists. Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with several awards and honors. She was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1975 and was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque in 1980 for her recording of her father's organ works. Marie-Madeleine Durufle-Chevalier continued to perform and teach until her death on March 4, 1999, in Paris, France. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest organists of the 20th century, whose technical brilliance and musical sensitivity continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike.

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