Francis Vidil
Encyclopedia
Francis Vidil is a French
classical musician
, performer and music
professor
. Vidil is best known for his long time affiliation with Versailles Conservatoire, where he became a Tenure Professor in 1996, as well as his numerous performances around the world. Currently lives in the city of Versailles. Vidil is one of the few performers in the world being able to play the organ
and the trumpet
simultaneously.
since the age of eight. Francis’ father, at the time, chair organist
of Saint Paul and Louis Church in Paris
, brought him to a four-summer training in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
, the cradle of baroque music
. This is there, that, as a child, Francis got to try France’s most famous baroque organ
. His conservatory teachers wanted him to complete his piano
studies before allowing him to officially learn the organ
and, by the same token, forbid him to practice improvisation
, which he continued to do anyway. The Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
professors who decisively influenced his style were: André Stricker, Michel Chapuis, Huguette Dreyfus
, and Xavier Darassehttp://eol.asso.online.fr/fv/Professor_Francis_Vidil_Biography.pdf.
an and International music competitions, including Lyon
Piano Festival, Montbrison
Piano Improvisation Contest. Worked closely with Roger Guérin
, former partner of Dizzy Gillespie
.
• From January 2007 to 2008 served as a organ professor and performer selected by the French Embassy in Cuba
where churches had reopened and the use of organ was rediscovered after John Paul II’s trip. Initiated the new organ school and organ improvisation classes, Superior School of Music in Havana
, Cuba.
• In 2003, 2004 and 2006 held piano improvisation master classes for instrumentalists and composer
s in Pennsylvania State University
, USA.
• Between 1987 and 1994 was a pianist and actor in the role of Mozart in “Mozart au Chocolat”, a play of Jacques Livchine, Theatre de L’Unité. Together they made 210 performances in various countries, including France
, Italy
, Belgium
, Germany
, Greece
, England
, Russia
, Estonia
, Iceland
, and Israel
. This play was one of the seven events selected by the USSR to celebrate the bicentennial
of the 1789 French Revolution
.
• In the late 80s worked as a Pianist of Maîtrise de Radio France
(France
’s boys and girls national choir) in Paris
.
• In 1993 founded EOL Association (Eclats d’Orgue à Lévis-Saint-Nom), a trust for preservation and development of an organ in Lévis-Saint-Nom
, where he serves as president. The EOL Organ has benefited from a wide array of improvements for the past 10 years such as adding bells
and percussions.
• In November 2001 took part in Chopin Festival of New York City
, a commemorative concert to the victims of the World Trade Center
.
• In 2011 performed together with American jazz
organist Rhoda Scott
, combining the sounds of Hammond organ
s with cathedral organs.
• Outstanding Arts Professor National Award (Professeur “Hors Classe”), by Versailles’ Mayor’s decree, July 10, 2009
in French progressive rock
band Magma
, eventually turning down an opportunity to become a rock pianist.
• In 2008, organized a concert dedicated to the release of a photo book "Françoise Hardy
: Ses plus belles années", improvising over 12 photos of Françoise Hardy
and Jacques Dutronc
.
• In 2006 accompanied on piano and organ to American jazz
, blues
and gospel
singer Liz McComb
, as well as to Max Zita's group "Gospel Voices".
• “Mois Molière
,” 1996, Piano
• “Nuit de la Musique,” 1997, 2 CD, Piano, Organ (Cathédrale de Nïmes
)
• “Bleu Clair,“ 2006, Piano
• “Mozart l’Improvisateur,” 2006, Piano
• “Autour des Chorals de Bach
,“ 2007, Piano
• “Vitrail et Lumière,” 2007, Pianoforte (Erard, 1846)
• “En Hommage à Bach
,“ 2007, Piano
• “Tonnerre de Brest,” 2007, Piano, Celesta, Gong and Chimes
• “Le Son des Ténèbres,“ 30 themes given by the public, 2008, Piano
• “Penn State, the Concert,” 2003, Organ, Celesta, Bells and 2nd Trumpet
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...
classical musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, performer and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
. Vidil is best known for his long time affiliation with Versailles Conservatoire, where he became a Tenure Professor in 1996, as well as his numerous performances around the world. Currently lives in the city of Versailles. Vidil is one of the few performers in the world being able to play the organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and the trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
simultaneously.
Early career
Has been accompanying at massesMass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
since the age of eight. Francis’ father, at the time, chair 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...
of Saint Paul and Louis Church in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, brought him to a four-summer training in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It lies east of Aix-en-Provence, in the westernmost point of Var département. It is located at the foot of the Sainte-Baume mountains: baume or bama is the Provençal...
, the cradle of baroque music
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
. This is there, that, as a child, Francis got to try France’s most famous baroque organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
. His conservatory teachers wanted him to complete his piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
studies before allowing him to officially learn the organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and, by the same token, forbid him to practice improvisation
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...
, which he continued to do anyway. The Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It lies east of Aix-en-Provence, in the westernmost point of Var département. It is located at the foot of the Sainte-Baume mountains: baume or bama is the Provençal...
professors who decisively influenced his style were: André Stricker, Michel Chapuis, Huguette Dreyfus
Huguette Dreyfus
Huguette Dreyfus is a French harpsichordist born on November 30, 1928 in Mulhouse, Alsace, France.-Biography:Huguette Dreyfus began taking piano lessons at four years old. In 1946, she began working with renowned piano teacher Lazare Lévy...
, and Xavier Darassehttp://eol.asso.online.fr/fv/Professor_Francis_Vidil_Biography.pdf.
Significant Events
• Vidil took part in numerous EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and International music competitions, including Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
Piano Festival, Montbrison
Montbrison, Loire
Montbrison is a commune in the Loire department in central France.The commune gives its name to the popular blue cheese Fourme de Montbrison which has been made in the region for centuries.-History:...
Piano Improvisation Contest. Worked closely with Roger Guérin
Roger Guérin
Roger Guérin was a French jazz trumpeter and singer.Initially a violinist, Guérin studied trumpet and cornet at the Paris Conservatory and won a first prize there as a teenager....
, former partner of Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
.
• From January 2007 to 2008 served as a organ professor and performer selected by the French Embassy in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
where churches had reopened and the use of organ was rediscovered after John Paul II’s trip. Initiated the new organ school and organ improvisation classes, Superior School of Music in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba.
• In 2003, 2004 and 2006 held piano improvisation master classes for instrumentalists and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
s in Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, USA.
• Between 1987 and 1994 was a pianist and actor in the role of Mozart in “Mozart au Chocolat”, a play of Jacques Livchine, Theatre de L’Unité. Together they made 210 performances in various countries, including France
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...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. This play was one of the seven events selected by the USSR to celebrate the bicentennial
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
of the 1789 French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
.
• In the late 80s worked as a Pianist of Maîtrise de Radio France
Radio France
Radio France is a French public service radio broadcaster.-Mission:Radio France's two principal missions are:* To create and expand the programming on all of their stations; and...
(France
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...
’s boys and girls national choir) in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
• In 1993 founded EOL Association (Eclats d’Orgue à Lévis-Saint-Nom), a trust for preservation and development of an organ in Lévis-Saint-Nom
Lévis-Saint-Nom
Lévis-Saint-Nom is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-References:*...
, where he serves as president. The EOL Organ has benefited from a wide array of improvements for the past 10 years such as adding bells
Bell (instrument)
A bell is a simple sound-making device. The bell is a percussion instrument and an idiophone. Its form is usually a hollow, cup-shaped object, which resonates upon being struck...
and percussions.
• In November 2001 took part in Chopin Festival of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, a commemorative concert to the victims of the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
.
• In 2011 performed together with American jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
organist Rhoda Scott
Rhoda Scott
Rhoda Scott is an African-American hard bop and soul jazz organist.The daughter of an AME minister, Scott spent much of her childhood in New Jersey, where she learned to play organ in the churches where her father served. Soon she herself was serving frequently as organist for youth and gospel...
, combining the sounds of Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
s with cathedral organs.
Selected Awards
• Academic Society for the Promotion of the Arts, Sciences and Letters, patronized by L’Académie Française, Silver Medal for career achievement, May 14, 2000• Outstanding Arts Professor National Award (Professeur “Hors Classe”), by Versailles’ Mayor’s decree, July 10, 2009
Pop culture
• In the mid-70s briefly rehearsed as a keyboardistKeyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
in French progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Magma
Magma
Magma is a mixture of molten rock, volatiles and solids that is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and is expected to exist on other terrestrial planets. Besides molten rock, magma may also contain suspended crystals and dissolved gas and sometimes also gas bubbles. Magma often collects in...
, eventually turning down an opportunity to become a rock pianist.
• In 2008, organized a concert dedicated to the release of a photo book "Françoise Hardy
Françoise Hardy
Françoise Madeleine Hardy is a French singer, actress and astrologer. Hardy is an iconic figure in fashion, music and style. She is married to the singer and movie actor Jacques Dutronc.-Biography:...
: Ses plus belles années", improvising over 12 photos of Françoise Hardy
Françoise Hardy
Françoise Madeleine Hardy is a French singer, actress and astrologer. Hardy is an iconic figure in fashion, music and style. She is married to the singer and movie actor Jacques Dutronc.-Biography:...
and Jacques Dutronc
Jacques Dutronc
Jacques Dutronc is a French singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer, and actor. He has been married to singer Françoise Hardy since 30 March 1981 and the two have a son . He also has been a longtime songwriting collaborator with Jacques Lanzmann...
.
• In 2006 accompanied on piano and organ to American jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singer Liz McComb
Liz McComb
Liz McComb is an American gospel and blues singer, songwriter and pianist, who also loves jazz, spiritual and soul music.-Roots in the home of gospel:...
, as well as to Max Zita's group "Gospel Voices".
Selected Discography
• “Cathédrale d’Auxerre,“ 1995, Organ• “Mois Molière
Molière
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright and actor who is considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature...
,” 1996, Piano
• “Nuit de la Musique,” 1997, 2 CD, Piano, Organ (Cathédrale de Nïmes
Nîmes
Nîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
)
• “Bleu Clair,“ 2006, Piano
• “Mozart l’Improvisateur,” 2006, Piano
• “Autour des Chorals de Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
,“ 2007, Piano
• “Vitrail et Lumière,” 2007, Pianoforte (Erard, 1846)
• “En Hommage à Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
,“ 2007, Piano
• “Tonnerre de Brest,” 2007, Piano, Celesta, Gong and Chimes
• “Le Son des Ténèbres,“ 30 themes given by the public, 2008, Piano
• “Penn State, the Concert,” 2003, Organ, Celesta, Bells and 2nd Trumpet