André Marchal
Encyclopedia
André Marchal was a French
organist
and organ teacher. He was one of the great initiators of the twentieth-century organ revival in France.
Marchal was born blind. Remarkably undaunted by this handicap, he studied the organ under Eugène Gigout
at the Paris Conservatoire; and there, in 1913, he won the First Prize in organ-playing. Four years later he also won the prix d'excellence for fugue and counterpoint.
As well as giving a good many concerts, both in France and in other countries (England, Australia, the United States), Marchal taught organ at the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles
in Paris, in addition to serving as titular organist of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés
(1915–1945) and Saint-Eustache
(1945–1963). From the latter post he resigned in 1963, his departure being brought about over a conflict concerning the correct organ builder to be hired to restore Saint-Eustache's instrument.
He was an unparalleled improviser
and was recognized as such by Fauré
. Among his students are many brilliant musicians such as Peter Hurford
, Louis Thiry
and Jean-Pierre Leguay, one of three titulaires du grand orgue of Notre-Dame de Paris.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and organ teacher. He was one of the great initiators of the twentieth-century organ revival in France.
Marchal was born blind. Remarkably undaunted by this handicap, he studied the organ under Eugène Gigout
Eugène Gigout
Eugène Gigout was a French organist and a composer of European late-romantic music for organ.-Biography:Gigout was born in Nancy, and died in Paris....
at the Paris Conservatoire; and there, in 1913, he won the First Prize in organ-playing. Four years later he also won the prix d'excellence for fugue and counterpoint.
As well as giving a good many concerts, both in France and in other countries (England, Australia, the United States), Marchal taught organ at the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles
Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles
Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles, , in Paris, was the first special school for blind students in the world, and served as a model for many subsequent schools for blind students.-History:The INJA was created in 1784 by Valentin Haüy.It was not until the late 18th century that society began to...
in Paris, in addition to serving as titular organist of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, just beyond the outskirts of early medieval Paris, was the burial place of Merovingian kings of Neustria...
(1915–1945) and Saint-Eustache
Église Saint-Eustache, Paris
L’église Saint-Eustache is a church in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, built between 1532 and 1632.Situated at the entrance to Paris’s ancient markets and the beginning of rue Montorgueil, the Église de Saint-Eustache is considered a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture...
(1945–1963). From the latter post he resigned in 1963, his departure being brought about over a conflict concerning the correct organ builder to be hired to restore Saint-Eustache's instrument.
He was an unparalleled improviser
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
and was recognized as such by Fauré
Faure
Faure or Fauré is a French family name and may refer to:People:* Edgar Faure, French politician* Élie Faure, French art historian and essayist* Émile Alphonse Faure, lead battery pioneer* Cédric Fauré, French football striker...
. Among his students are many brilliant musicians such as Peter Hurford
Peter Hurford
Peter Hurford OBE is a British organist, born St Cecilia's day 1930 in Minehead, Somerset.Educated at Blundell's School, he later studied both music and law at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with dual degrees, subsequently obtaining an enviable reputation for both musical scholarship and...
, Louis Thiry
Louis Thiry
Louis Thiry , is a French organist, composer and pedagogue.Thiry studied at the Nancy Conservatoire, where he received a first prize in organ at the Nancy Conservatory in 1952, followed by studies with André Marchal at Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles in Paris...
and Jean-Pierre Leguay, one of three titulaires du grand orgue of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Awards and recognition
- Officer of the Légion d’honneur (1960)
- Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des LettresOrdre des Arts et des LettresThe Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
(1965) - National Patron of Delta OmicronDelta OmicronDelta Omicron is a co-ed international professional music honors fraternity whose mission is to promote and support excellence in music and musicianship.-History:...
, an international professional music fraternity.