Dom Paul Benoit, O.S.B. (1893-1979)
Dom Paul Benoit,
O.S.B. was an organist, composer, and Roman Catholic priest, who lived
as a member of the Benedictine community at the Abbey of St. Maurice et
St. Maur, at Clervaux, in Luxembourg. Dom Paul Benoit's compositions
never leave the realm of tonality, albeit often modal. His works
frequently draw from the melodies of Gregorian chant, making them easily
palatable by all ears. Dom Paul acknowledged the influence of the
French impressionist works of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel upon his
organ compositions. As a result, Dom Paul's works are some what unique
for the organ in bearing a pervasive imprint of impressionism. The
large body of French romantic and contemporary organ literature comprises
a well known collection of repertoire for the instrument. Yet far
more meager is the list of organ compositions that can lay claim to the
subtlety or transcendence of the impressionists. Dom Paul Benoit's organ
compositions, in addition to being excellent liturgical music, form a unique
and worthy contribution to the body of literature for the instrument.
Dom Paul Benoit is pictured at the Abbey's three manual 1907 Cavaillé-Coll.
"His published scores do not even represent half of his production"
...liner notes from the recording by Carlo Hommel "NATIVITÉ
ET PACQUES à l´abbaye de Clervaux, Dom Paul Benoît
(1893-1979), L´œuvre complète pour orgue".
Contents:
Brief Sketch of Dom Paul's Life
Dom Paul Benoit and Impressionism
Cavaillé-Coll Organ at the Abbey
visit / return to:
www.church-organist.com
visit / return to: www.daryeln.com
Sincere thanks to Roger Riblet of Art Sacré,
the Abbaye St. Maurice, for permission to use the pictures of Dom
Paul Benoit, O.S.B.
Sincere thanks to Christian Gillen for permission
to use the picture of the Abbaye Saint-Maurice et Saint-Maur.
CLICK HERE
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