Maurice Duruflé
b. Louviers, Eure, January 11, 1902
d. Paris, France, June 16, 1986
Biography
Maurice Duruflé, French composer and organist, had many experiences that
marked his musical education. At age ten his father brought him to Rouen
and enrolled him in the boychoir school. His experiences singing in the
great Cathedral there were to influence him throughout the rest of his
life. When older, Duruflé moved to Paris and took lessons from Vierne
while also acting as an assistant organist to Tournemire at
Saint-Clotilde. He studied at the Paris Conservatory with Gigout, and was
educated in composition under Paul Dukas. In 1930, Duruflé was appointed
organist at St. Etienne-du-Mont, Paris. In 1943 returned to the Paris
Conservatory, this time as a faculty member.
Duruflé's six organ works are large in scale, intended for concert,
rather than liturgical use. They are neo-classic in style, with strong
Gregorian chant influences. His pieces are characterized by clear forms
coupled with traditional counterpoint. Their beauty stems from their
full, romantic harmonies.
Points of Interest
- Duruflé thought it was just a visit that took him and his father to
Rouen when he was ten years old. He had no idea he would be staying
behind until that evening, when his father announced that he was leaving
and young Maurice would not be going with him.
- Duruflè won first prize in virtually all of his collegiate subjects,
including organ, harmony, counterpoint and fugue, accompaniment, and composition.
- He met his wife Marie-Madeleine Chevalier while a professor at the
Paris Conservatory. She was a bright organ student, twenty years younger
than he was. They were married in 1953.
- Both Duruflè and his wife were injured in an automobile accident
in 1975. Madame Duruflè was eventually able to play again, but Monsieur
Duruflè was not.
Works
- Prèlude, Adagio et Choral Variè sur le Veni Creator
- Prèlude sur l'Introït de l'Epiphanie
- Fugue sur le callion des heures de la cathédrale de Soissons
- Scherzo
- Prèlude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain
- Suite (prèlude, sicilienne, toccata)