Olivier Alain
Encyclopedia
Olivier Alain was a French
organist
, pianist
, musicologist and composer
.
, near Paris
, into a musical family. His father was the organist and composer Albert Alain (1880–1971), as well as his elder brother Jehan Alain
(1911–1940), and his sister, French organist Marie-Claire Alain
(b. 1926). Olivier studied at the Paris Conservatory, where he received first prizes in composition (1951, class of Tony Aubin
) and musical analysis (1950, class of Olivier Messiaen
).
In 1950, he became director of the conservatory in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
, where he worked until 1964. From 1960-1974, he served as director of the École César Franck
in Paris, and in 1976 founded the Conservatoire National de Région in Paris, whose director he was until 1985, and where he taught classes in musical analysis and chamber music. His notable students include composers Alain Gagnon
.
Olivier Alain's catalog of musical compositions contains almost 170 compositions of various genres, most of which is still unpublished. He also published a book on harmony (Paris, 1965) and a monograph on Johann Sebastian Bach
(Paris, 1970). His comprehensive chronology and analysis of the life and complete works of J. S. Bach is still unpublished. His discovery of the 14 Canons on the first 8 fundamental notes of the aria from the Goldberg Variations (BWV 1087) in Strasbourg
in 1974 is often regarded as one of the greatest Bach-source finds of the 20th century.
Olivier Alain died in 1994 in Paris, 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...
organist
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...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, musicologist 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...
.
Life
Olivier Alain was born in Saint-Germain-en-LayeSaint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris from the centre.Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois...
, near 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...
, into a musical family. His father was the organist and composer Albert Alain (1880–1971), as well as his elder brother Jehan Alain
Jehan Alain
Jehan Ariste Alain was a French organist and composer.-Biography:Alain was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the western suburbs of Paris, into a family of musicians. His father, Albert Alain was an enthusiastic organist, composer and organ-builder who had studied with Alexandre Guilmant and Louis...
(1911–1940), and his sister, French organist Marie-Claire Alain
Marie-Claire Alain
Marie-Claire Alain is a French organist and organ teacher best known for her prolific recording career. She is particularly known for her ability to perform substantial works entirely from memory.-Background and education:...
(b. 1926). Olivier studied at the Paris Conservatory, where he received first prizes in composition (1951, class of Tony Aubin
Tony Aubin
Tony Louis Alexandre Aubin was a French composer.From 1925 to 1930 Aubin studied at the Paris Conservatory under Samuel Rousseau , Noel Gallon , Philippe Gaubert , and Paul Dukas . He was awarded the Prix de Rome for the cantata Actaeon in 1930...
) and musical analysis (1950, class of Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen was a French composer, organist and ornithologist, one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex ; harmonically and melodically it is based on modes of limited transposition, which he abstracted from his early compositions and improvisations...
).
In 1950, he became director of the conservatory in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris from the centre.Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois...
, where he worked until 1964. From 1960-1974, he served as director of the École César Franck
École César Franck
The École César-Franck was a music school founded in Paris in January 1935 by Guy de Lioncourt, Louis de Serres, Pierre de Bréville and Marcel Labey...
in Paris, and in 1976 founded the Conservatoire National de Région in Paris, whose director he was until 1985, and where he taught classes in musical analysis and chamber music. His notable students include composers Alain Gagnon
Alain Gagnon
Alain Gagnon is a Canadian composer and music educator. He joined the music faculty of the Université Laval in 1967 where he has taught music theory, music analysis, and music composition for more than 40 years. A member of the Canadian League of Composers and an associate of the Canadian Music...
.
Olivier Alain's catalog of musical compositions contains almost 170 compositions of various genres, most of which is still unpublished. He also published a book on harmony (Paris, 1965) and a monograph on Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
(Paris, 1970). His comprehensive chronology and analysis of the life and complete works of J. S. Bach is still unpublished. His discovery of the 14 Canons on the first 8 fundamental notes of the aria from the Goldberg Variations (BWV 1087) in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
in 1974 is often regarded as one of the greatest Bach-source finds of the 20th century.
Olivier Alain died in 1994 in Paris, France.
Organ Solo
- Chanson de la brume en mer op. 64 (1940. Ligugé: Éditions Europart)
- Suite op. 135 (1951. Paris: Leduc)
- Lacrymae op. 150 (1957. Paris: Éditions Schola Cantorum)
- Prélude-Introït-Récitatif op. 158 (1959: Paris: Éditions Schola Cantorum)
- Offertoire-Fantaisie op. 160 (1961: Paris: Éditions Schola Cantorum)
- Récit pour l'Élévation op. 161 (1962: Paris: Éditions Schola Cantorum)
- Microludes op. 166 (1981. Ligugé: Éditions Europart)
Chamber Music
- Dithyrambe op. 18 for Oboe and Piano or Trumpet, Flute and Organ (1936. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Sicilienne op. 24 for Piano, Flute and Organ (1937. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Divertissement (nocturne) op. 73 for Flute and Piano or Organ (1942. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Ritournelle op. 74 for Oboe and Piano or Flute, Violin and Organ (1943. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Suite op. 98 for Violin and Piano (1945-47. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- String Quartet op. 123 (1949. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Aventure op. 144 for Flute and Organ (1953. Paris: Salabert)
- Suite française: Suite pour Rameau op. 163 for Trumpet and Organ or Flute and Organ (1964. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Ballade op. 163b for Piano and Organ (1948. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Songe ou Souvenances (Mneïa) op. 164 for Oboe and Organ or Flute and Organ (1973. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Threnos (Deuils) op. 167 for Piano and Organ (1982. Sampzon: Édition Delatour France)
- 12 more unpublished chamber music works
Choral Works
- Lucis Creator optimae op. 55 for Choir and Organ (1939. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Petrus quidem op. 76 for Choir a capella (1943. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Jesu, dulcis amor meus op. 77 for Choir, Soloists and Organ (1943. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Noël: Allons, ma voisine op. 78 for Choir a capella (1943. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- Cibavit eos op. 88 for Choir a capella (1944. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- 3 Repons du Vendredi Saint op. 136-138 for Choir a capella (1951. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- 3 Repons du Jeudi Saint op. 139-141 for Choir a capella (1952. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- 3 Déplorations: Repons du Samedi Saint op. 145-147 for voice and keyboard (1954. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- 15 more unpublished choral compositions
Piano Solo
- Intermezzo op. 162 (1964. Paris: Éditions Choudens)
- 47 more unpublished piano compositions
Two Pianos
- Première Ballade op. 69 in E minor (1942, unpublished)
- Deuxième Ballade op. 75 in A-flat major (1943, unpublished)
- 4 Danses op. 112 (1948, unpublished)
- 5 Pièces op. 112a (1948, unpublished)
Voice and Piano
- Stances du Banquet (Sponde) op. 79 (1944. Sampzon: Éditions Delatour France)
- 41 more unpublished works for voice and piano
Miscellaneous Works
- Tristan op. 89. Ballet music in twelve scenes (1945, unpublished)
- La Samaritaine op. 90. Stage Music in five scenes for Oboe, Harp and Strings (1945, unpublished)
- Symphonie Argentière op. 124 for orchestra (1949, unpublished)
- Chant funèbre pour les morts en montagne op. 133. Oratorio in twelve scenes for soloists, choir and orchestra (1950, unpublished)
- L'Athlète aux mains nues op. 134. Music for a film by Daniel Rops (1950, unpublished)
- Henri IV op. 142. Film music (1952, unpublished)
- Fantaisies pour le CNR Nos. 1 et 2 op. 165 for various instruments (1977. Sampzon: Édition Delatour France)
- Odoï op. 168 for orchestra (1983, unpublished)