HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Alexandre Guilmant

Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France on 12 March 1837, Félix-Alexandre Guilmant was an organist and teacher most of whose works were authored for organ. His Opus One was 'Ave Verum pour Choeur et Orgue' in 1856.

'Ave Verum pour Choeur et Orgue' Op 1 in E-flat major Alexandre Guilmant

1856 for organ and SATB chorus

Text: Thomas Aquinas

Schola Cantorum Coralina w organ by Martin Rost

IMSLP

'Morceau de concert' ('Piece for Concert') Op 24 in G major Alexandre Guilmant

1869 Published in 1892 as Volume 7 of 'Pièces dans différents styles'

Organ: Bernhard Schneider

IMSLP

Guilmant became organist at the Catholic Église de la Sainte-Trinité in Paris in 1871, where he kept for the next three decades to create a legacy the largest portion of which, as commented, is works for organ. Three years later in 1874 he composed 'Organ Sonata No.1' in D minor Op 42 which led to his 'Symphony No.1' the same year for which he retained the Opus number (Op 42). Moving forward by opus rather than date, just when isn't known, but Guilmant very likely composed and published his 'Marche Élégiaque' Op 74 earlier than the later more certain date of 1892.

'Organ Sonata No.1' Op 42 in D minor Alexandre Guilmant 1874

Organ: Andrew Dewar at Derby Cathedral in England

Hyperion IMSLP LA Phil

'Symphony No.1' Op 42 in D minor Alexandre Guilmant 1874

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko

Organ: Ian Tracey

IMSLP Paul Serotsky Joseph Stevenson Marianne Williams Tobias

'Marche Élégiaque' Op 74:17 in D minor Alexandre Guilmant

Date unknown Published in 'Pièces dans différents styles pour orgue' c 1892 by Schott

Organ: Herman van Vlie in Amsterdam

IMSLP

A virtuoso at organ, Guilmant toured the United States and Canada in 1893. In 1894 he assisted composers, Charles Bordes and Vincent d'Indy, in the foundation of the Schola Cantorum de Paris [Wikipedia], an intended alternative to the Paris Conservatoire. He there taught the remainder of his career. Among his mature works into the 20th century is his 'Morceau Symphonique' in E flat major for trombone and piano Op 88 published in 1902.