Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

France

Birth

:

May 3, 1886 in Rouen, France

Death

:

May 30, 1971 in Meudon, France

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Marcel Dupré was a French composer, organist, and pedagogue who was born on May 3, 1886, in Rouen, France. He was the son of a well-known organist, Charles-Marie Dupré, who was also his first music teacher. Marcel showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano and the organ at a young age. He was a child prodigy and gave his first public performance at the age of ten. Dupré continued his musical education at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied with some of the most prominent musicians of his time, including Alexandre Guilmant, Louis Vierne, and Charles-Marie Widor. He won several prizes and awards during his time at the conservatory, including the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1914. Dupré's career as a composer began in earnest after he returned from his studies in Rome. He wrote music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, and choral music, but he is best known for his organ music. He was one of the most important organ composers of the 20th century and his works are still widely performed today. Dupré's organ music is characterized by its virtuosity and its use of complex harmonies and rhythms. His most famous work is the set of 79 chorale preludes, which he wrote between 1920 and 1921. These pieces are based on hymn tunes and are considered to be some of the most challenging works in the organ repertoire. In addition to his work as a composer, Dupré was also a renowned organist and a sought-after teacher. He held several prestigious positions throughout his career, including organist at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris and professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory. He also toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States, giving recitals and masterclasses. Dupré's influence on the world of music was significant. He was a pioneer in the use of electronic instruments and was one of the first composers to write music specifically for the Hammond organ. He also played an important role in the development of the French organ school, which emphasized virtuosity and the use of complex harmonies and rhythms. Dupré died on May 30, 1971, in Meudon, France, at the age of 85. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and studied by musicians around the world. He was a true master of the organ and his contributions to the world of music will be remembered for generations to come.

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