Eugene Gigout, classical music composer

Eugene Gigout

Biography

Eugène Gigout (23 March 1844 – 9 December 1925) was a French organist and a composer of European late-romantic music for organ.

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 was Léon Boëllmann, another French composer and organist.

The 10 pièces pour orgue (composed 1890) are Gigout's most celebrated compositions. They include the Toccata in B minor, his best-known creation, which turns up as a frequent encore at organ recitals. Also fairly often played, and to be found in the same collection, is a Scherzo in E major. Other notable pieces by Gigout are Grand chœur dialogué and Marche religieuse. Gigout's works are now available on several commercial recordings.

His pupils included Léon Boëllmann, André Fleury, Henri Gagnon, André Marchal, André Messager, and Albert Roussel.

Composer Title Date Action
Eugene Gigout Toccata 05/19/2009 Play Add to playlist