Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

France

Birth

:

February 15, 1907 in La Fontenelle, France

Death

:

May 8, 1991 in Paris, France

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

Jean Langlais was a French composer and organist who was born on February 15, 1907, in La Fontenelle, a small village in Brittany, France. He was the youngest of seven children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they encouraged their children to pursue music. Langlais began his musical studies at a young age, learning the piano and violin from his parents. He also showed an early interest in the organ and began taking lessons with the local organist. At the age of 11, he was accepted into the Nantes Conservatory, where he studied organ, harmony, and counterpoint. In 1926, Langlais moved to Paris to study at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he studied with Marcel Dupré, one of the most renowned organists of the time. Langlais was a gifted student and quickly became one of Dupré's star pupils. He won several prizes and awards during his time at the conservatory, including the Prix de Rome in 1930. After completing his studies, Langlais returned to Brittany and became the organist at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne d'Auray, a position he held for over 60 years. He also taught at the Schola Cantorum in Paris and at the Conservatoire de Paris. Langlais was a prolific composer, writing over 250 works in a variety of genres, including organ music, choral music, chamber music, and orchestral music. His music is characterized by its rich harmonies, complex rhythms, and use of modal scales. One of Langlais's most famous works is his Suite médiévale, a collection of five pieces for organ that was inspired by medieval music. The suite includes a prelude, a toccata, a fugue, a hymn, and a postlude, and is considered one of the masterpieces of 20th-century organ music. Another notable work is his Messe solennelle, a setting of the Catholic Mass for choir and organ. The piece is known for its intricate harmonies and use of Gregorian chant melodies. Langlais also wrote several works for chamber ensembles, including his Trio for flute, oboe, and piano, and his String Quartet No. 1. His orchestral works include his Symphony No. 1 and his Concerto for Organ and Orchestra. In addition to his work as a composer, Langlais was also a renowned organist and gave concerts throughout Europe and the United States. He was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to improvise on the organ. Langlais's music has had a lasting impact on the world of classical music, and his works continue to be performed and recorded today. He died on May 8, 1991, in Paris, France, at the age of 84.

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