A. Maurice Duruflé Biography

Maurice Durufle


1902(11 January) Born in Louvier (Near Rouen, Normandy).
1910
1918		Attended Rouen Cathedral Choir School. And began to studied piano, organ and musical theory.
1919Moved to Paris in order to study the organ with Charles Tournemire and Louis Vierne.
Acted as a assistant organist to Tournemire at Saint-Clotilde.
1920Auditioned and joined Eugène Gigout's organ class at the Paris Concervatoire.
1922Won the premier prix in organ ( Eugène Gigout's class).
1924Won the premier prix in harmony (Jean Gallon's class).
Won the premier prix in counterpoint and fugue (Georges Caussade's class).
1926Won the premier prix in accompaniment (César Abel Estyle's class).
1928Won the premier prix in composition (Paul Dukas's class).
1929Deputized for Vierne at the Cathedrale of Notre-Dame, Paris ( until 1931 ).
Won the first prize offered by "Les Amis de l'Orgue" for his organ performance and improvisation.
1930He was appointed to be the titulaire organist of St-Étienne-du-Mont, Paris ( until 1975 ).
Won the first prize offered by "Les Amis de l'Orgue" for Prélude, Adagio et Choral Varié sur le Veni Creator op. 4
1936Won the Blumenthal Foundation Prize for Trois danses op. 6
1939( June ) He gave the world première of Poulenc's Organ Concerto having advised Poulenc on the organ registrations at Salle Gaveau.
1942Deputized for Marcel Dupré's organ class at the Paris Concervatoire.
1943He was appointed to be professor of harmony at the Paris Concervatoire ( until 1969 ).
1953Married Marie-Madeleine Chevalier (Maurice was 12 years older than she).
And Marie-Madeleine became co-titulaire at St-Étienne-du-Mont.
1954At the request of Vierne's heir, Mme Madeleine Mallet-Richepin, he published Trois Improvisations by Louis Vierne having his reconstructed (Durand & Cie.).
1956Honoured by the Department of the Seine who awardedteir Grand Prix Musical.
1958Published Cinq Improvisations by Charles Tournemire having his reconstructed (Durand & Cie.).
1959Gained Grand Prix du Disque (Academie Charles-Cross) for his Requiem Recording by his conducting (ERATO).
1961Recieved Vatican citation of Commander in the Order of St. Gregory.
1964His first recital tour in the United States.
1966His second recital tour in the United States.
1975( May ) Because of a head-on car accident near Valence (Southern France), He and his wife suffered extensive injuries.
1975
1986		He was only particially to recover and seldom left his bed in apartment during 10 years.
1986( 16 June ) He died at the age of 84, having been in hospital for several months .
1986( 11 October ) His Requiem was performed at a memorial service.
1989With Mme Duruflé, Duruflé festival held in New York City.

1999
( 16 October ) Mme Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier died.
2000( 22 January ) A memorial ceremony for the late Mme Duruflé was held in Paris at St-Étienne-du-Mont.



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