'n stylkritiese studie van Maurice Durufle se orrelwerke
Maurice Durufle (1902 - 1986) developed an interest in the organ and Gregorian chant during his days as a choirboy in the Rauen cathedral. At the Paris Conservatoire he was a student of Gigout and Dukas. He continued his organ study under Vierne and Tournemire. He was appointed organist of St. Etienne-du-Mont in 1930 and gave numerous recitals throughout the world. In 1943 he was appointed professor in harmony at the Paris Conservatoire, a position he held for more than thirty years. His organ compositions include the following: Scherzo, op.2 Prelude, Adagio et Choral varie sur le theme du "Veni Creator", op.4 Suite, op.5 Prelude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain, op.7 Prelude a !'Introit de l'Epiphanie Fugue sur le theme du carillon des heures de la Cathedrale de Scissons Durufle's organ works were directly influenced by Gregorian plainchant, the Impressionism and his teachers Vierne and Tournemire. Indirect influences were the traditions of the nineteenth-century French organ school, contributions of important nineteenth-century composers and developments in the art of organ building. In his organ works Durufle uses a variety of textures. His melodies reveal both lyrical and dramatic qualities. Tonality freely mixed with modality, pentatonic scales and Impressionistic harmonies are important characteristics of his music. Other important features in this regard are the succession of unrelated keys and chords and the use of colourful and expressive chromaticism. Durufle treats the aspect of rhythm in a traditional way, although some of his organ works contain many changes of metre. Being a Neoclassicist, he made extensive use of traditional forms. His judicious and poetic approach to registration clearly reveals his interest in timbre. Although his organ works were written for a large French Romantic organ, he included alternative arrangements for smaller instruments. Despite the fact that Durufle's organ works are technically difficult, he can be regarded as a highly idiomatic composer. As a performer, conductor, lecturer and composer Durufle made an enormous contribution to the music of the twentieth century. Being the only Impressionistic Neo-classicist, Durufle's contribution is unique and although his oeuvre of organ works is small, it has certainly enriched the literature of the instrument.
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