Suite : Work information

Composers
Maurice Duruflé ( Music, Images,)
Performed by
David M. Patrick (Organ)

This work

Work name
Suite
Work number
Op. 5
Key
n/a
Genre
A
Composed
1933-01-01 02:00:00

This recording

Label
ASV
Producer
Neil Collier
Engineer
Neil Collier
Recording date
1996-03-19 00:00:00

The Composers

Maurice Duruflé

Born in Louviers, Maurice Duruflé enrolled at the Paris Conservatoire in 1920 where he studied under Gigout, Gallon and Paul Dukas.  He wrote for and performed extensively on the organ and in 1947 wrote his most famous work, the Requiem.  Influenced by Gabriel Fauré's work, Duruflé spurned the melodramatic tone audiences had come to expect from a requiem - following on from Fauré he gave the work an ethereal, distant feel influenced by Gregorian chant and modal harmony.

Duruflé deputised for Louis Vierne at Notre-Dame de Paris and was so enamored of his playing that he transcribed many of Vierne's improvisations for posterity, something he also did for his teacher Tournemire.  A methodical composer, Duruflé has not written prolifically.  However, what he has written is of consistent excellence.

Track listing

  • Prélude 7:44 min
  • Sicilienne 6:04 min
  • Toccata 7:40 min