Alexandre Guilmant

The French organist and composer Félix-Alexandre Guilmant was born on 12 March 1837 in Boulogne-sur-Mer and studied with his father and then with Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens.

He played the organ at La Trinité in Paris for thirty years, and composed much music, almost exclusively for organ. Along with Charles Bordes and Vincent d'Indy he founded the Schola Cantorum, and taught there, and also at the Paris Conservatoire. His students included Marcel Dupré, Augustin Barié and Edgar Henrichsen.

Guilmant died in Meudon on 29 March 1911.

A selection of articles about Alexandre Guilmant

CD Spotlight. Impressive and Delightful - Geoff Pearce listens to Martin Setchell playing the Christchurch Town Hall Rieger organ in New Zealand. '... a wide range of organ music that I am sure will delight lovers of fine organ playing.'

CD Spotlight. Bold Simplicity - Patrick Maxwell listens to music from Wadham College Chapel, Oxford. 'The choral sound is well produced, if at times lacking in cohesion, and the interpretations at the hands of Katharine Pardee are well handled.'

CD Spotlight. A Unique Snapshot - French music for Christmas, sung in Oxford by a Cambridge choir, heard by Keith Bramich. '... Christmas music, much of it well-known in Britain, sung in French in various original and unusual versions ...'

Border Crossings - Mike Wheeler listens to Andy von Oppenkowski's recital as part of the Derby Cathedral organ series

Mozart Changes - Carleton Etherington's organ recital at Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

A Welcome Return - Jennifer Bate plays the Derby Cathedral organ, heard by Mike Wheeler

Somewhat Congested - Jonathan Scott plays the organ of Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Brilliant Playing - Organ music played by John Kitchen, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. '... a curiously varied programme ...'

CD Spotlight. Varied Programme - The Usher Hall organ impresses Gerald Fenech. 'John Kitchen oozes out every sound possible from this monster of an organ ...'

A Big Statement - Peter Gould's last full-scale organ recital as Master of the Music at Derby Cathedral impresses Mike Wheeler

Admirably Projected - Simon Hogan plays the organ at Derby Cathedral, impressing Tom Corfield

Sparkling Performances - Organist Roy Massey visits Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Great Energy - Jane Watts launches Derby Cathedral's series of summer organ recitals, heard by Mike Wheeler

A Firm Grasp - Peter Litman plays the organs of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Musicianship and Panache - Michael Harris at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Tony Westerman

Ensemble. Sorcerers and Apprentices - Collaborative organ performances at Derby Cathedral by Peter Gould, Tom Corfield, Christopher Johns, Ben Bloor and Sachin Gunga delight Tony Westerman

Structural Thinking - Recitals on the organ at Derby Cathedral by Andrew Dewar, David Briggs and Anthony Hammond, heard by Mike Wheeler

Great Energy - Timothy Byram-Wigfield plays the organ at Derby Cathedral and impresses Mike Wheeler

Mysterious and Interesting - Hans Hielscher at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

A Vigorous Account - Peter Gould at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Incisive Playing - Daniel Hyde at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Exquisitely Nuanced - Steve Davislim sings Vierne and Chausson, recommended by Howard Smith. 'I cannot think of higher praise.'

Clear Detail - Mike Wheeler listens to organist Matthew Owens at Derby Cathedral

The Speed Merchant - Jonathan Scott plays the organ of Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Noble and Moving - An organ recital by Andrew Nethsingha, appreciated by Mike Wheeler