French musician, Frédéric Champion has won several prizes and awards for performing organ music from the 16th through the 21st century. Having performed regularly as a soloist and with orchestras and choirs, Champion has given several concerts in Europe, Asia and North America. He has also created pieces exclusively for the organ, as well as for organ and percussions or choirs. Champion is also linked to transcribing symphonic pieces for the organ. He also cultivates the art of improvisation on the organ and the fortepiano.

Born in Lyon in 1976, Champion starts taking piano lessons at the age of 8 and then pursues advanced musical studies at different conservatories: Conservatoire National de Région in Lyon where he studies organ with Louis Robilliard; Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris (organ class with Michel Bouvard); and Centre d’Études Supérieures de Musique (CESM) in Toulouse (organ and harpsichord classes with Jan Willem Jansen). Alongside his organ and harpsichord classes, Frédéric Champion specializes in pianoforte with Yasuko Uyama at the Conservatoire National de Région in Toulouse and professors Edoardo Torbianelli (repertoire) and Rudolf Lutz (improvisation) at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland.

Between 1998 and 2004, awards in international competitions include 1st Prize at the Minoru Yoshida Tokyo-Musashino Competition and “Bachpreisträger” at the Leipzig Bach Competition both in 2004; 2nd Prize at both the Concours de musique de chambre FNAPEC in Paris (organ & percussions) and the Luzern Competition in 2002; 1st Prize at the International Competition Gottfried Silbermann (Freiberg, D) in 2001; 2nd Prize at the International Competition “Musica Antiqua” in Bruges in 2000; and winner at the Xavier Darasse International Competition in Toulouse in 1998.

And in October 2008, Champion won 1st Prize and Audience Prize at the Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC), a prestigious new competition in Montreal that plays an important role in recognizing and promoting the value of organ music. Since, Frédéric Champion acts as its first ambassador and his performances are regularly aired on both Radio-Canada and CBC, official broadcasters of CIOC events. Thanks to his victory at the CIOC, Champion has given concerts across North America in 2009 and 2010 (Salt Lake City, Toronto, Cincinnati, Calgary, Montreal, Lachine, Rimouski, Edmonton, Savannah, etc.), and recorded a CD of French Music (ATMA Classique). This CD has received rave reviews in the American Organist and in Choir and Organ (UK) which declares:
“Champion is one of the finest young organist you’ll ever hear!”

http://www.fredericchampion.com/topic/index.html

Suzanne Chaisemartin, who studied under Marcel Dupré, is one of the most distinguished organiste of our time. She debuted an international career after her brilliant studies at the “Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique” of Paris, which were crowned by the First Prize in organ and improvisation.

French and Foreign critics greeted the birth of a first-class artist.

At Marcel Dupré’s request, she was appointed acting organist at Saint-Sulpice during his recital tours abroad.

Titular organist of the Cavaillé-Coll organ at Saint-Augustin in Paris and the successor of Gigout, Huré and Fleury, her career encompasses concerts, recording sessions and radio broadcasts around the world.

She was soloist for Radio France. Her repertoire comprise the complete important music literature, from baroque music to contempory music, including those symphonie organ compositions she discovered with Marcel Dupré.

Suzanne Chaisemartin was also professor of organ at the “École Normale de Musique” in Paris, at the “Conservatoire National de Région” in Dijon and assistant professor at the “Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique” in Paris.

Her exemplary professional dedication will assure her the titles of “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite” and “Officier des Arts et Lettres”.

Pavel ČERNÝ was born in 1970 in Prague.

From the age of 5, he studied piano before turning resolutely to the organ at age 15 when he entered the Conservatory in his native town. While there, he obtained several prizes.

He then participated in masterclasses of wellknown masters, in his own country as well as in Germany. He also obtained distinguished awards in several international compétitions : FirstPrize and diploma in Improvisation at the Young Organist’s Competition in OPAVA,1990 (Czech Republic) ; Grand Prize of the International Competition of Ljubljana (Slovenia) and the « Springtime in Prague » 1994 (Czech Republic).

Pavel ČERNÝ has performed in concert in the Czech Republic (notably with the famous Philharmonie and at the « Springtime in Prague »), as well as in Poland, Austria, Germany, France (Chartres 1995), Spain…

He has made several recordings for radio and television as well as a CD.

Evencio Castellanos Yumar (May 3, 1915 – March 16, 1984), was a Venezuelan pianist and classical musician.

Being born at the town of Cúa, Miranda state, son of Pablo Castellanos and Matilde Yumar, from young age starts his musical formation along with his father who was organist and kapellmeister at the Nuestra Señora del Rosario church.

In 1938 entered at the Superior School of Music of Caracas (today called “José Angel Lamas”), learning from teachers Pardo Soublette, Carlos Áñez, Juan Bautista Plaza and Vicente Emilio Sojo.

On July 4, 1944 graduated as teacher-composer, and was part of the first generation of Vicente Emilio Sojo´s students, whose compositions were oriented by the nationalistic tendency. In 1946 was designated director of the University Choir of the Central University of Venezuela, for which he composed the university anthem, based on the words of Luis Pastori and Tomás Alfaro Calatrava.

Between August 1947 and September 1949, received a scholarship to New York City, studying piano with Carlos Buhler. On his return to Venezuela, becames member of the Caracas Cathedral choir, executing the organ, and being Chapel Teacher. Also, was a member of the Orfeón Lamas and instrumentalist of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra.

In parallel to his life as a musician, served as piano instructor (1938-1947), piano professor (1945-1947), key professor (1946-1972), professor of musical composition (1957-1964) and director of the Superior school of Music (1965-1972). Vice-president of the Board of directors of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra (1950-1951 and 1959), member of the Consultative Superior Council of the orchestra, president of the Venezuela Association de Authors and Composers (1958-1959), director-founder of the Collegium Musicum de Caracas, director of the Student Orchestra of the Central University of Venezuela (1969) and director of the Experimental Orchestra of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, to which directed the inaugural concert on May 15, 1970.

From 1979 to 1984, served as adviser of the Latin American Institute of Musical Studies. Throughout his musical career, Castellanos obtained several awards and recognitions, such as the Teresa Carreño Prize, by the Caracas Athenaeum for his Tribute to Teresa Carreño in 1952, the National Prize of Music for his symphonic poem Santa Cruz de Pacairigua in 1954, and the National Prize of Music for the oratorio Tirano Aguirre in 1962.

Castellanos died in Caracas on March 16, 1984 at the age of 68.

http://www.naxos.com/person/Evencio__Castellanos/118478.htm

Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin was born in 1959 in Nogent-le-Rotrou, France. She grew up in a musical family where she received piano instruction as a small child. After completing piano, organ and harmony courses at the Ecole Nationale de Musique of Le Mans, she entered the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Paris where she studied the organ with Rolande FALCINELLI.

She was awarded the first prize in organ, improvisation, harmony, fugue and counterpoint. Her academic success was rewarded in 1980 with a prize from the French Ministry of Culture.

Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin was named titular of the Great Organ of Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle in Paris in 1983. In 1985, she added the position of deputy titular of the Great Organ of Saint Sulpice in Paris. In that same year, she became the first woman and the only one to win the 2nd prize of Improvisation at the Chartres International Organ Competition.

Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin has an extensive international career She has given recitals in France, Germany Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark Great Britain and Canada. 1998 marked her first recital tour in the United States.

She is considered by her peers as one of the best improvisers of her generation.

Her CDs of Bach. Mendelssohn. Brahms, Franck, Rheinberger. Messiaen, Grunenwald along with her recorded improvisations have earned high praise.

Sophie-Véronique CAUCHEFER-CHOPLIN – Chartres 2013

http://caucheferchoplin.com/

Born in 1964 in Paris, Yves Castagnet completed his musical studies at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris, in the organ, harmony, counterpoint, fugue, orchestration and improvisation. These studies have been awarded several first prizes, among them a first Organ Prize in 1985.
In 1988, he won the grand prize for interpretation at the International Competition of Chartres and began a solo career that allows him to perform regularly in France and abroad (UK, USA, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Czech Republic).

Alongside his solo activities, Yves Castagnet devotes a large part of his time to the liturgical organist. It is since 1988 the choir organ holder of the Notre-Dame de Paris, where he accompanied daily services sung by the Maîtrise of the Cathedral.
As both recitalist and continuo, Yves Castagnet is very attached to the accompaniment of singers. As part of the Maîtrise of Notre-Dame de Paris, he teaches the interpretation of the singers adult choir, which he regularly accompanies productions in concert. He was also invited by other formations, such as the Concert d’Astrée (Emmanuelle Haim), the Radio France Choir or Chorus of the University of Paris-Sorbonne.

Yves Castagnet has already recorded five discs, all greeted by the highest awards of journals: Dupré (Symphonie-Passion and Evocation) and Vierne (Symphonies No. 1 and 2) to the great organ of the abbey Saint-Ouen in Rouen, Sony; Mendelssohn (the six sonatas) the great organ of the church of Masevaux and Duruflé (Requiem) to major organs and with the Maîtrise of Notre-Dame de Paris, BMG; Liszt album, Reubke, Schumann, Mendelssohn the great organ of the Church of the Madeleine (Paris) MKI home. In late 2005, he published at Intrada disc of works by Dupré the great organ of Notre-Dame (The Way of the Cross / Second Symphony in C sharp minor).

http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/Yves-CASTAGNET

David CASSAN was born in 1989. He studied at Conservatoire de Caen where he got a first prize in the class of Erwan Le Prado. Holder of a musicology bachelor’s degree from the University La Sorbonne Paris IV, he also pursued the organ improvisation class of Pierre Pincemaille at Conservatoire de Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, rewarded by a first prize. After that, he studied with Thierry Escaich, Cyril Lehn, Pierre Pincemaille, Alain Mabit, Olivier Trachier, Philippe Lefebvre, Laszlo Fassang, Louis-Marie Vigne, Jean-François Zygel, François Espinasse and Liesbeth Schlumberger at Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Paris and in Lyon, where he obtained the prizes for organ, improvisation, harmony, counterpoint, fugue and forms, Renaissance polyphonies and XXth century composition.

David Cassan is a recognized artist, as evidenced his numerous prizes and distinctions. Indeed, he received the best award from the international competitions of Pierre Pincemaille (France), AndréMarchal (France), Boëllmann-Gigout (France), Merklin (France), Haarlem (Netherlands), Saint-Albans (England), Westfalen Impro 5 (Germany), Schwäbisch Gmünd (Germany) as well as the Great Jean-Louis Florentz International Prize from the Academy of Arts (France). He is also laureate from Dudelange’s competition (Luxembourg).

In September 2016, he won ex aequo the “Grand Prix de Chartres” of Improvisation.

Consequently, he is one of the most rewarded organists of his generation.

From now on, he is leading a soloist and accompanist career, while honouring his role of titular organist at the ‘Oratoire du Louvre’ in Paris. This career gave him the opportunity to play with numerous famous artists and orchestras (Didier Sandre, Jean-Loup Chrétien, Orchestre National de Lyon, Capitole de Toulouse, Quatuor Girard, Romain Le Leu…) in prestigious places in France and abroad (Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Belgium, England, Uruguay, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Swiss…).
He is also professor of organ and improvisation at the CRR Nancy.

David CASSAN – Chartres 2014 – Église St Aignan

Patrice Caire (1949-1992) was taught at the Paris Conservatoire by Rolande Falcinelli, he also undertook study with Suzanne Chaisemartin, Jean Langlais and Louis Robilliard.

He was Professeur de formation musicale at the Conservatoire de Lyon, and organist at St-Bonaventure, Lyon.

International concertist, frequently occurring in the United States and Japan, he nevertheless gave much importance to its liturgist organist, very attached to the sacred repertoire. Passionate about organ building, preferring instruments that have character, enriching those affecting, he is particularly interested in the South West of France and organ composers of the early seventeenth century (Titelouze, Frescobaldi , Sweelinck, Correa Arauxo) Whereas it was the golden age of polyphony written for the organ.

Born in Sidi-Bel-Abbes (Algeria) October 4, 1948, where his father Noël Boyer, a former student of André Marchal and Jean Langlais, held the organ in the St. Vincent Cathedral and taught piano and violin at Conservatory of this city, Jean Boyer received his first music lessons from his parents, his mother being organist. Desiring to become a young organist in the image of his parents, he studied organ by himself and after his degree, came in 1967 in the organ class of Xavier Darasse at the Toulouse Conservatory where he earned a 1st prize two years later.

In 1972 he succeeded Michel Chapuis the great organ of the church of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs (Paris, III), a position he gave up in December 1995 in favor of Genvrin Vincent, one of his students. From 1975, it will also, following André Isoir, co-owner of St. Severin (Paris Ve) with Jacques Marichal, Francis Rosary and Michel Chapuis (until 1988).

Winner of the international competition of Arnhem-Nijmegen in the Netherlands in 1978, as a church organist he had the ability to be able to adapt his game according to the spirit of the place, the type of instrument, the present assistant and special liturgical habits of each parish. Also attaches great importance to education, including Jean Boyer felt that it was very educational for the teacher and that “demands attention, observation, imagination, patience and other qualities can only enrich the musician and his relationship with music and the instrument “[Preludes, No. 6, April 1994].

He has professed first at the Conservatory of Bayonne and then between 1980 and 1982 than in Brest and the Schola Cantorum in Paris before succeeding Jeanne Joulain the CNR of Lille (1982-1992) and especially in 1992 to its Master Xavier Darasse in the Conservatory of the organ class of Lyon. He was also permanent guest at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam where he taught since 1998 and for many years has given master classes at the Academy of the organ of Semur-en-Auxois (Cote d’Or).

He has trained several generations of organists, one of the main features is to focus on the present organ literature as a whole, without partisanship. Among them include Elise Rollin Yves Lafargue, Nicolas Bucher, Arnaud Pumir, Dong-ill Shin, Jean-Luc Perrot, Damien Simon, Aude Schumacher, Francis Jacob, Bruno Beaufils, Montagnoux Brice, Dominique Chevalier, Laurent Bouis, Sylvain Heili, Lionel Avot, Andrés Cea Galan, Willy Ippolito, Jerome Mondesert, Aude Heurtematte Michel Ježo Régis Rousseau …

Jean Boyer discography is small because much preferred to perform in concert and especially considered that the record industry had become too commercial thus promoting mediocrity. However, we owe him some recordings, the first (Stil 2103S71) conducted in 1971 at the organ Schmit (1772) Gimont (Gers) with French pieces, Flemish and Spanish seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, earning him the following year the Grand Prix du Disque and was described by some as “pure poetry” and always for the house of Stil discs, parts Boëly to François-Henri Clicquot organ of Notre-Dame-des -Fields (1405S73), the complete organ works of Brahms on the historic organ Friedrich Becker in Wechold (0605S76), the First Organ Book and Hymns in Grigny Nicolas Boisseau organ in the collegiate St. Sylvain Levroux (2604S79), Bach’s Leipzig Chorales the organ of Porrentruy (0607S88 and 1007S88) and by EMI (5,617,772), the organ works of Louis-Nicolas-Clérambault at the organ of Saint-Michel-in-Thiérache.

As a musicologist Jean Boyer has published several articles on the organ, including “The Great Room of C. Franck Symphony” and “The evolution of legato in the organ music in France” in the Swedish journal Proceedings of the Gothenburg Organ Academy (1994 and 1996), “Johannes Brahms and organ” in Japan Organist (1997) and “dynamic shades in organ music of JS Bach”, Proceedings of the conference of the Academy of the organ of Saint-Die-des-Vosges (1998).

Died June 28, 2004, he had also animate 6 to 16 July 2004 as the 37th President of the Academy on the theme of the chorale.

– © http://www.musimem.com/ –

The Danich organist, Bine Katrine Bryndorf, took her first organ lessons with Kristian Olesen and Bo Grønbech.

In 1987-1991 she studied organ with Michael Radulescu and harpsichord with Gordon Murray at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna. Later came studies with William Porter in Boston and Daniel Roth in Paris.

She has won prizes in organ competitions in Innsbruck, Bruges, and Odense and in chamber music competitions in Melk and Copenhagen (P2 Music, DR).

After taking her diploma in sacred music, organ, and harpsichord, Bine Katrine Bryndorf began a wide-ranging career as a soloist and chamber musician. She was engaged as an assistant to Michael Radulescu in Vienna from 1991 to 1995. In 1994 she was engaged as an associate professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, and in January 2001 she was appointed a professor at the same institution. Since 1996 she has also been the organist at Vartov Church, copenhagen. In 1999-2000 she was The Danish Radio’s first Artist in Residence. She also teaches master-classes in Europe and the USA and is a jury member in organ competitions.

Bine Katrine Bryndorf has recorded for Olufsen and Hänssler (Edition Bachakademie) labels.

http://www.dacapo-records.dk/en/artist-bine-bryndorf.aspx