Gigout

Eugene Gigout (23 March 1844 - 9 December 1925) was a French organist and a composer of European late-romantic music for organ. Gigout was born in Nancy, and died in Paris. A pupil of Camille Saint-SaÎns, he served as the organist of Saint-Augustin Church in Paris for 62 years. He became widely known as a teacher and his output as a composer was considerable. Renowned as an expert improviser, he also founded his own music school. (His nephew-by-marriage, Leon Boillmann, became another fine organist and composer for the organ, whose death at the very young age of 35 was a severe loss to French music.) The 10 pieces pour orgue (composed 1890) are Gigout's most celebrated compositions. They include the Toccata in B minor, his best-known creation, which turns up as a frequent encore at organ recitals. Also fairly often played, and to be found in the same collection, is a Scherzo in E major. Other notable pieces by Gigout are Grand Choeur Dialogue and Marche Religieuse. Gigout's works are now available on several commercial recordings. His pupils included Léon Boillmann, AndrÉ Fleury, Henri Gagnon, André Marchal, André Messager, and Albert Roussel.