Marcel Dupré

Marcel Dupré (born May 3, 1886, Rouen, Fr.—died May 30, 1971, Paris) was the foremost French organ virtuoso of his time, famed for his ability to improvise and influential as a teacher.

Dupré gave his first organ recital at age 10 and had his oratorio Le Songe de Jacob (Jacob’s Dream) performed at 15. An organist at Saint-Sulpice and Notre-Dame, Paris, he gave (1920) a series of 10 recitals in which he played from memory the complete organ works of J.S. Bach. He toured as a virtuoso (U.S. debut, 1921), frequently improvising fugues and symphonies from themes suggested by musicians in the audience. His Symphonie-Passion and Le Chemin de la croix (The Way of the Cross) were first improvised in performance and later written down. His written compositions include a series of 76 chorales and a concerto for organ and orchestra. He also wrote several works on organ technique and improvisation. Dupré directed the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau, Fr. (1947–54), and the Paris Conservatory (from 1954).