Eugène Gigout

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Recording session with Eugène Gigout for the Welte-Philharmonic-Organ, 1912.
Recording session with Eugène Gigout for the Welte-Philharmonic-Organ, 1912.

Eugène Gigout (23 March 18449 December 1925) was a French organist and a composer of European late-romantic music for organ.

[edit] Biography

Eugène Gigout was born in Nancy, and died in Paris.

A pupil of Camille Saint-Saëns, he served as the organist of Saint-Augustin Church in Paris for 62 years. He became widely known as a teacher and his output as a composer was considerable. Renowned as an expert improviser, he also founded his own music school. (His nephew-by-marriage, Leon Boellmann, was also a fine organist and composer for the organ, though he died very young at age 35.)

The 10 pièces pour orgue (composed 1890) are his most well-known compositions. This set includes the Toccata in B minor, probably his best-known piece; it is a frequent encore at organ recitals. The set also includes the Scherzo in E major. Other notable pieces include the Grand Choeur Dialogué and Marche Religieuse.

Gigout's compositions are available on a number of commercial recordings.

[edit] External links