DUPRE, Marcel
b Rouen, 3 May 1886
d Meudon, 30 May 1971, aged eighty-five

He began his studies with his father at the age of seven; at twelve he became organist at St Vivien in Rouen, and at fifteen had his first choral piece performed. From 1902 to 1914, at the Paris Conservatory, he studied organ, with Widor among others, winning the Prix de Rome in 1914. He learned all Bach's organ works and performed them at the Conservatory in 1920, the first time such a performance had been given. In that same year he made his first appearance outside France, with a capacity audience at the Albert Hall in London. In 1921 he gave a series of concerts in Philadelphia and New York, and thereafter visited the USA regularly. He toured the world; but after his 1,900th concert in 1953 he gave up recitals. However, he kept until the end of his life his post as organist to St Sulpice. Apart from a great number of organ and sacred choral works, he also wrote:

1909 (23)

Sonata for violin and piano

1912 (26)

Fantaisie for piano and orchestra

1914 (28)

Psyche cantata

1916 (30)

Four Motets for chorus

Six Preludes for piano

Three Pieces for cello and piano 1

917 (31)

De Profundis, for soli, chorus, organ and orchestra

1921 (35)

Four Pieces for piano 1

924 (38)

Variations for piano 1

928 (42)

Symphony with organ

1932 (46)

Concerto for organ and orchestra

1936 (50)

Poeme heroique, for organ and brass

1938 (52)

Variations for piano and organ

1946 (60)

Sinfonia for piano and organ

1952 (66)

Quartet for organ and string trio

1952-3 (66-7)

La France au Calvaire, oratorio

1960 (74)

Trio for organ, violin and cello