Maurice Duruflé

Born: January 11, 1902 in Louviers, France

Died: June 16, 1986 in Paris, France

Education: joined the choir school at Rouen Cathedral at age 10 and studied organ, piano and music theory; moved to Paris at age 17 and studied with Charles Tournemire; 1920, entered the Paris Conservatoire and studied organ, harmony and counterpoint, as well as composition with the famous Paul Dukas

Assignments: after 1919, assistant to organist Charles Tournemire then Louis Vierne at Notre Dame Cathedral; 1930, organist at St. Etieene-du-Mont, later sharing the job with his wife, Marie-Madeleine; after 1943, Professor of Harmony at the Paris Conservatoire

Awards: 1922, 1924, 1926 and 1928, awarded the premier prix in the fields of organ, harmony, counterpoint/fugue, accompaniment and composition at the Paris Conservatoire; 1929 and 1930, honored by Les Amis de l’Orgue for performance and composition, respectively; 1961, made Commander in the Order of St. Gregory by Pope John XXIII

Best known for: Most of Duruflé’s compositions make use of modern harmonies superimposed upon ancient Gregorian chants. This synthesis allows for almost otherworldly effects as centuries-old melodies seem to float above near-Impressionistic harmonic foundations

Notable compositions: Three Dances (2 versions), 1932 Andante and scherzo for orchestra, 1940 Requiem (3 versions), 1947 Four Motets on Gregorian Themes for chorus, 1960 Messe “cum jubilo” (2 versions), 1966