In 1914, Dupré won the Premier Grand Prix de Rome, but World War I prevented him from taking up the customary period of residence at the Villa Medici.
Composer Biography
Marcel Dupré, a native of Rouen, was one of the world's best-known organists and an almost annual visitor to London from 1920.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Dupré's master, Charles-Marie Widor, set a model for a concert-style of writing for the organ in his ten organ symphonies, which Dupré and his contemporaries developed.
Composer Biography
Dupré succeeded his teacher Charles-Marie Widor as Organist of Saint-Sulpice in Paris in 1934, nearly thirty years after first becoming his assistant.
Composition History
Dupré's international fame grew after World War I, largely due to his skill as an improviser, especially on plainsong themes.
Instruments
The organ of St Paul's Cathedral, where this recording was made, was built by Bernard Schmidt ('Father' Smith) in 1697, with a case designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
Performer Biography
John Scott, the organist on this album, was Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral for 14 years before moving to St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York.
