Pierre Cochereau

Pierre Eugene Charles Cochereau , born with Saint-Mandé (the Valley-of-Marne) the 9 July 1924 and dead the March 5th 1984 with Lyon, was a Organiste, a improviser, a Pédagogue and Compositeur French.

Biography

Pierre Cochereau chooses the music after his secondary studies and enters to the Conservatoire of Paris where it receives the teaching of Marcel Dupre, Maurice Duruflé and No5el Gallon. He obtains there the first prices of organ, harmony, writing and history of the music. As of 1942, it is titular organ of Saint-Roch and becomes in 1955 titular large organ of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

It will make this platform among most famous, a place of reception for the organists of the whole world to which it will yield its keyboards every Sunday afternoon for one hour hearings during which all the styles of works for organ will have established among. These concerts remarkably presented by Jehan Revert, choirmaster of Notre-Dame, with her request will be systematically recorded, which makes these files a priceless testimony of the " jeu" organistic with 20th and from now on 21e centuries. It showed for the repertory of organ a remarkable eclecticism, admitting during these hearings the most modern works at its time of Arvo Pärt with Iannis Xenakis, while passing through type-setters considered as more " légers" such Georges Delerue which wrote (and for Roger Delmote) a Sonata for trumpet and organ to him.

Pierre Cochereau will have as a concern of maintaining, of " relever" this remarkable instrument (of which he will alas not know the restoration), initially with Jean Hermann then by making call, with died of this one, Robert Boisseau and Jean-Wolf Bushel. Those will make, initially with him then for Jean-Wolf alone with its successors, of this organ what it is today.

Contrary to the majority of his colleagues of the time, Pierre Cochereau was, with Souberbielle, Jean-Albert Villard and some other organists a little younger, such Michel Chapuis, Francis Chapelet or Xavier Darasse not to quote than emblématiques, very qualified as regards invoice of organ, than it is directed towards a return to the " tradition" or print of modernity, and manual work was not foreign for him, not more than competences as regards administration were not foreign for him.

He is also director of the Academy of the Mans of 1949 with 1956, of that of Nice of 1961 with 1979 and is finally charged to create ex nihilo with Lyon, beside CNR, the second Higher National Academy of Music in France, from which there will remain the Director until his death in 1984. In addition to being a large organist with at the same time brilliant and respectful interpretations of the tradition of the repertory of traditional, romantic and contemporary organ, it is particularly famous for its exceptional gifts of improviser.

Let us not forget that Pierre Cochereau was, much more simply, a " organist of église" as present at its platform as its career of concert performer and pedagog allowed him. Its thorough knowledge of the Gregorian chant and more generally of the liturgical music made its interventions during the offices, either while accompanying or while improvising, of unforgettable moments of music.

Pierre Cochereau was the first to leave " physiquement" the organ of its places of predilection, by making rounds generally accompanied by his/her friend and excel trumpet player Roger Delmotte, with his organ " itinérant" with pipes, of ten plays which it transported in a harnessed trailer to the one of its always sumptuous cars.

Pierre Cochereau was also with Pierre Firmin-Didot cofounder of the Grand Prix of Chartres , contest of organ of international repute, which had as an originality to institute beside the traditional price of interpretation, quite as important price of improvisation.

Even if each and everyone claims with a title or the other, justified or not, being " his/her son spirituel" , Pierre Cochereau is wrongfully forgotten nowadays. Its written musical work is of not very abundant quality but. It leaves on the other hand, on hundreds of Revox bands and kept extremely fortunately well, an immense quantity of improvisations (and also, but in less great number, works of the repertory) recorded during the offices and in concert with Notre-Dame. The analytical listening of the overall going sum of these recordings carried out over one period of 1965 with its death and carried out with talent and faithful assiduity by François Carbou should make it possible to include/understand and appreciate the reality of this single and, in spite of the honors of sound alive, mysteriously atypical artist and particularly blazing. Pierre Cochereau is deceased of a Aneurysmal rupture in the night of the 5 to the 6 March 1984 with Lyon, at the 59 years age.

He had had with his Nicole wife two children who also became musicians: Jean-Marc, Leader and director of the Academy of Turns, and Marie-Pierre, Harpiste.

Catalog works

Organ alone

Symphony (written 1950-1955. Turned: Chantraine editions, 1996. EC. 100)

1. Adagio and Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Scherzando
4. Allegro

Three Variations on a chromatic topic (written 1963.Paris: Leduc, 1963)
Microphone-Sonata in Trio COp 11 (written 1969. Paris: Leduc, 1969)
Variations on " My youth has a fin" COp 16 (written 1972. Paris: Leduc, 1972)

Organ with other instruments

Concerto for organ and orchestra in C major sharp (written 1951. New.)

Chorus

Paraphrase of the Dedication for chorus, two organ, two whole of coppers and six drinking cups (written 1963. Sankt Augustin: Dr. Josef Butz Musikverlag/Chantraine Editions. EC. 148)
Anthem (New.)

Chamber music

Melodies (New.)
Quintet with piano (New.)

Transcriptions of the Improvisations of Pierre Cochereau

impromptu Symphony.
I. Adagio
II. Scherzo
III. Adagio
IV. Toccata

Impromptu in June 1956 with the Aeolian-Skinner organ in Boston Symphony Hall. Transcribed by Jeremy Filsell.

Sankt Augustin, Germany: Dr. J. Butz Musikverlag/Chantraine Editions, 2004. EC. 160.

Disc: Cochereau: " Incunables". Sigean: Solstice, 2000. SOCD 177/8. 2 CDs.

Symphony in improvisation.
I. Agitated
II. Scherzo
III. Slow
IV. Final

Impromptu in December 1963 at Notre-Dame de Paris for Philips. Transcribed by John Scott Whiteley.

Sankt Augustin, Germany: Dr. J. Butz Musikverlag/Chantraine Editions, 2006. EC. 161.

Disc: Cochereau: The Legend. Sigean: Solstice, 2007. SOCD 237. Collection Large Organ vol. 4: Messiaen/Cochereau. France: Philips, 1995. Philips 446.642-2. 1 CD.

Thirteen improvisations on the verses of vespers.

Impromptu in December 1963 at Notre-Dame de Paris for Philips. Transcribed by Jeanne Joulain.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1997. EC. 125.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau improvises on of Noëls. Sigean: Solstice, 1997. SOCD 152. 1 CD.

Prelude and Variations on " Come, Divin Messie".

Impromptu on December 24th, 1968 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by David Briggs.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1998. EC. 122.

Disc: Cochereau: The Legend. Sigean: Solstice, 2007. SOCD 237.

Left on " Adeste Fideles".

Impromptu on December 24th, 1968 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions. EC. 150.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau improvises on of Noëls. Sigean: Solstice, 1997. SOCD 152. 1 CD.

Cantem louse Gloria.

Impromptu on July 23rd, 1969 with Collioure (the Eastern Pyrenees; Hartmann-Positiv). Transcribed by David Briggs.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1997. EC. 120.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: 12 new improvisations. Sigean: Solstice, 2002. SOCD 200/1. 2 CDs.

Topic and Variations on " Lark, nice alouette".

Impromptu in April 1970 at Notre-Dame de Paris für Philips. Transcribed by David Briggs.

London: United Music Publishers, 1992.

Disc: Collection Large Organ vol. 16: Cochereau plays Cochereau, Improvisations 1. France: Philips, 1996. Philips 454.655-2. 1 CD.

Fifteen verses on " Ave Stella" Husbands;.

Impromptu on August 15th, 1970 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions. EC. 157.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau improvises in concert at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1989. FYCD 127. 1 CD.

Variations on a Christmas old man.

Impromptu on December 24th, 1972 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by Jeremy Filsell.

Turned: Chantraine editions. EC. 137.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau improvises in concert at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1989. FYCD 127. 1 CD.

Introduction, Choral and Variations on " O Filii and filiæ".

Impromptu on April 22nd, 1973 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 2000. EC. 151.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: The organist of Notre-Dame. Sigean: Solstice, 1992. SOCD 94/6. 3 CDs.

Bolero on a topic of Charles Jacquet for organ and percussion.

Impromptu in May 1973 at Notre-Dame de Paris for Philips. Transcribed by Jean-Marc Cochereau.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1996. EC. 116.

Discs: Cochereau: The Legend. Sigean: Solstice, 2007. SOCD 237. Collection Large Organ vol. 16: Cochereau plays Cochereau, Improvisations 1. France: Philips, 1996. Philips 454.655-2. 1 CD.

Lullaby with the memory of Louis Vierne.

Impromptu in May 1973 at Notre-Dame de Paris for Philips. Transcribed by White Frederic.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1997. EC. 119.

Disc: Collection Large Organ vol. 17: Cochereau plays Cochereau, Improvisations 2. France: Philips, 1996. Philips 454.656-2. 1 CD.

Variations on " Jacques" brother;.

Impromptu in May 1973 at Notre-Dame de Paris for Philips. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions. EC. 149.

Disc: Collection Large Organ vol. 17: Cochereau plays Cochereau, Improvisations 2. France: Philips, 1996. Philips 454.656-2. 1 CD.

Following the Frenchwoman on popular topics.
I. Prelude " Caption of Saint-Nicolas"
II. Air " Trimazo"
III. Gigue " Companions of Marjolaine"
IV. Haversack " We will not go any more to the bois"
V. Saraband " In the prisons of Nantes"
VI. Minuet " V' the good vent"
VII. Toccata " Go of the rois"

Impromptu in May 1973 at Notre-Dame de Paris for Philips. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions. EC. 115.

Disc: Collection Large Organ vol. 16: Cochereau plays Cochereau, Improvisations 1. France: Philips, 1996. Philips 454.655-2. 1 CD.

symphonic Scherzo.

Impromptu on February 10th, 1974 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by Jeremy Filsell.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1998. EC. 139.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: The organist of Notre-Dame. Sigean: Solstice, 1992. SOCD 94/6. 3 CDs.

Left on " Come, Divin Messie".

Impromptu in March 1974 at Notre-Dame de Paris for FY/Solstice. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1996. EC. 113.

Disc: Christmas at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1994. SOCD 906. 1 CD.

Continuation of Dances for organ and percussion.
I. Walk
II. Saraband
III. Haversack
IV. Tambourine
V. Minuet
VI. Impromptu Gigue

on May 29th, 1974 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by David Briggs.

Turned: Chantraine editions. EC. 123.

Disc: Cochereau: Two large improvisation in concert. Sigean: Solstice, 1985. FYCD 118. 1 CD.

Left on " Haec Dies".

Impromptu on March 30th, 1975 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1997. EC. 112.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: The organist of Notre-Dame. Sigean: Solstice, 1992. SOCD 94/6. 3 CDs.

Last nine Parts improvised in the form of French Continuation.
I. Kyrie
II. Small Plein-jeu
III. Offertoire
IV. Tierce cuts
V of it. human Voix
VI. Low of Cromorne
VII. Flutes
VIII. Low of Trumpet
IX. Grand Plein-jeu

Improvisée enters the 15 and on March 18th, 1977 to Notre-Dame de Paris for FY/Solstice. Transcribed by Jeanne Joulain.

Turned: Chantraine editions. EC. 64.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: The art of the improvisation. Sigean: Solstice, 1999. FYCD 059. 1 CD.

Variations on Christmas.

Impromptu on June 27th, 1977 at Notre-Dame de Paris for FY/Solstice. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1997. EC. 90.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: The art of the improvisation. Sigean: Solstice, 1999. FYCD 059. 1 CD.

a Sunday Mass.
I. Entered
II. Offertoire
III. Rise
IV. Impromptu Communion
V. Left

on June 28th, 1977 at Notre-Dame de Paris for FY/Solstice. Transcribed by François Lombard.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1997. EC. 114.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: The art of the improvisation. Sigean: Solstice, 1999. FYCD 059. 1 CD.

symphonic Triptych on two topics.
I. Introduction and Scherzo
II. Running away
III. Final

Impromptu on June 29th, 1977 at Notre-Dame de Paris for FY/Solstice. Transcribed by David Briggs.

Turned: Chantraine editions, 1998. EC. 121.

Disc: Pierre Cochereau: The art of the improvisation. Sigean: Solstice, 1999. FYCD 059. 1 CD.

Discography

Pierre Cochereau: Written Work.

Symphony for large organ; Paraphrase of the Dedication; Three Variations on a chromatic topic; Micro Sonata in trio; Topic and Variations on " My youth has a fin".

François Lombard (Symphony) and Pierre Pincemaille, Organ. Regional chorus Provence-Alp-Coast of Azure. Philharmonic orchestra of Marseilles. Jean-Marc Cochereau, direction. Recorded in 1999 with St Vincent de Roquevaire (Rhone delta). Sigean: Solstice, 1999. SOCD 163. 1 CD.

Cochereau.

DVD portrait of Pierre Cochereau (2 hours).

Sigean: Solstice, 2004. SODVD 01. 1 DVD.

Cochereau: " Incunables".

Liszt: AD our, AD salutarem undam; Vierne: 2. Sinfonie e-Moll COp 20; Dupre: Symphony-passion COp 20; Cochereau: Impromptu symphony.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded in 1955 at Notre-Dame de Paris (Liszt, Vierne, Dupre) and in June 1956 (impromptu Symphony) in Symphony Hall, Boston. Sigean: Solstice, 2000. SOCD 177/8. 2 CDs.

Cochereau: The Legend.

Symphony in Improvisation; Thirteen improvisations on verses of Vespers; Bolero improvised on a topic of Charles Racquet for organ and percussion.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Michel Cal and Michel Gastaud, percussion (impromptu Bolero). Recorded in December 1963 (Symphony, Thirteen improvisations) and in May 1973 (impromptu Bolero) at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 2007. SOCD 237. 1 CD.

Collection Large Organ vol. 4: Messiaen/Cochereau.

Olivier Messiaen: Extracts of the " Nativity of Seigneur" ; The celestial banquet; Appearance of the eternal church (February 1972); Symphony in improvisation (May 1973).

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded at Notre-Dame de Paris. France: Philips, 1995. Philips 446.642-2. 1 CD.

Pierre Cochereau improvises on of Noëls to large the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded between 1969 and 1973 á Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1997. SOCD 152. 1 CD.

Pierre Cochereau: 12 new Improvisations.

Turned from summer in 1969 in the positive Philippe Hartmann.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded between on July 16th and on August 29th, 1969. Sigean: Solstice, 2002. SOCD 200/1. 2 CDs.

Collection Large Organ vol. 16: Cochereau plays Cochereau, Improvisations 1.

Improvisations on “Lark, gentile lark” (April 1970); Following the Frenchwoman on popular topics; Bolero on a topic of Charles Racquet, for organ and percussion (May 1973).

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Michel Cal and Michel Gastaud, Percussion (Bolero). Recorded at Notre-Dame de Paris. France: Philips, 1996. Philips 454.655-2. 1 CD.

Collection Large Organ vol. 17: Cochereau plays Cochereau, Improvisations 1.

Thirteen improvisations on verses of Vespers (Dezember 1963); Lullaby with the memory of Louis Vierne; Variations on “Jacques Brother “(May 1973).

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded at Notre-Dame de Paris. France: Philips, 1996. Philips 454.656-2. 1 CD.

Pierre Cochereau: Two great improvisations in concert.

Continuation of Dances; Be a prelude to, Adagio and Varied Choral.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Michel Cal and Michel Gastaud, Percussion (Continuation of Dances). Recorded between on May 24th, 1974 (Continuation) and on February 27th, 1970 (Prelude, Adagio and Varied Choral) at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1985. FYCD 118. 1 CD.

Pierre Cochereau: The organist of Notre-Dame.

Works of J.S. Bach, César Franck, Olivier Messiaen, Marcel Dupre, Mullet of Lisle, and several recordings of the liturgical and public improvisations.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded between 1968 and 1984 in Notre-Dame de Paris and Chartres Cathedral (Introduction, Choral and Variations on a topic given by PC, September 30th, 1973). Sigean: Solstice, 1992. SOCD 94/6. 3 CDs.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ.

Works of J.S. Bach, François Couperin, Louis Vierne, Olivier Messiaen and an Improvisation on a given topic.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded on July 12th, 1970 and on July 2nd, 1972 in Chiesa Parrocchiale in Magadino, Italy. Bologna, Italy: Hermitage, 1996. ERM 176-2. 1 CD.

Pierre Cochereau improvises in concert at Notre-Dame de Paris.

15 Verses on Ave Stella Husbands; Variations on Christmas.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded on August 15th, 1970 (Verses) and on December 24th, 1972 (Variations) at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1989. FYCD 127. 1 CD.

Improvisations on topics of Easter at Notre-Dame de Paris.

Symphony in 4 movements (April 11th, 1971); Introduction, Choral, Running away and Variations (March 26th, 1978); Be a prelude to, Adagio, Fugue and Varied Choral (April 19th, 1981).

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 2003. SOCD 206. 1 CD.

Pierre Cochereau: The liturgical organist.

Four impromptu Masses (Entered, Offertoire, Communion and Exit).

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded between June 1973 and November 1977 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 2003. SOCD 226. 1 CD.

Christmas at Notre-Dame de Paris.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Control of Notre-Dame. Jehan Revert, direction. Recorded in March and June 1974 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1994. SOCD 906. 1 CD.

offices of Sunday at Notre-Dame de Paris.

Office of Laudes; Large' Mass; Vespers.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Control of Notre-Dame/Chorale of the Cathedral. Jehan Revert, direction. Recorded on February 27th, 1976 and on November 9th, 1968 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1988. FYCD 019. 1 CD.

Pierre Cochereau: The art of the improvisation.

30 parts to be used as presentation with the organ of Notre-Dame.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded between on March 15th and on June 29th, 1977 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1999. FYCD 059. 1 CD.

Works of Otto Barblan and Henri Gagnebin.

Otto Barblan: Toccata COp 23; Imagination COp 16; Chaconne COp 10 on BACH. Neighed Gagnebin: Toccata; Dialog and Passacaille. Pierre Cochereau in Interview with Gerard Delatena.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded in October 1977 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Wiesbaden, Germany: Motette Ursina. Motette M 10350. 1 LP.

Cochereau: A Musical Will.

Integral of the 25 improvisations on the Gospel according to Matthieu Saint.

Pierre Cochereau, Organ. Recorded between on February 5th and on March 4th, 1984 at Notre-Dame de Paris. Sigean: Solstice, 1997. SOCD 150/1. 2 CDs.

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