After starting the organ and got a gold medal in 1977 at the National Conservatory of Calais in the class of Pierre Letaillieur, François Lombard, born in 1958, studying with André Isoir, Michel Chapuis, Gaston Litaize in Conservatoire National de Région d’Orsay, Besançon and Saint-Maur des Fossés. He won the highest awards (Gold, Award and Diploma concert unanimously) between 1979 and 1983 and also receives a gold medal music writing in the class of Pierre Doury at the CNR of Saint-Maur-des Fossés.

In 1982 he was awarded the First Grand Prize at the National Interpretation Contest at Vernon organized by the Lions Club of France. Titular of the great organ in the church of Saint Pierre de Calais since 1984, he is also professor of organ at the inter school music Hondschoote in Flanders near Dunkirk. It gives parallel many concerts and had the opportunity to perform several times in the highest places of the organ, both in France and abroad (Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres, Poitiers, Dijon, Saint-Maximin Var, Bordeaux, Bourges, Rennes, Rouen, Roquevaire Festival, St. Paul’s in London, Berlin, etc …). He also made many particularly noticed by the specialized critic recordings (Bach Works, Guilmant, Vierne, Duruflé, Cochereau, etc …).

Early fascinated by the improvisational genius Pierre Cochereau, former organist at Notre-Dame de Paris died in 1984, he began to reconstruct the most accomplished improvisations (Butz editions, Bonn, Germany). He, on the other hand, with organist Pierre Pincemaille, created to drive the work written by Pierre Cochereau (Solstice Records). Very attached to the Nord-Pas de Calais region where he lives, François Lombard is also president of the Association of the organ of Tournehem-sur-la-Hem and member of several friends of the organ associations, participating in promoting organ in the North of France.

http://www.francoislombard.sitew.fr/#Accueil.A

Ludger Lohmann (born 1954 in Herne) is a highly acknowledged organist, winner of several international organ competitions, namely the ARD International Music Competition (Association of Germon Broadcasting Corporations) in Munich 1979 and Grand Prix de Chartres in 1982.

He performed in concert tours throughout Europe, Northern and Southern America, Japon or Korea. Since 1983 he is Professer of Organ at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst and organist at St. Eberhard Catholic Cathedral, Stuttgart.

Since 1989 he is a guest professor at Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, Conn., USA senior researcher in the Göteborg Organ Art Center at the University of Göteborg, Sweden. He is also jury member of many international competitions and teacher in international master classes.

Ludger LOHMANN – Chartres 2011

http://ludgerlohmann.de/

Litaize was born in Ménil-sur-Belvitte, Vosges, in northeast France. An illness caused him to lose his sight just after birth. He entered the Institute for the Blind at a young age, studying with Charles Magin, who encouraged him to move to Paris and study with Magin and Adolphe Marty at the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles, which he did from 1926 to 1931. Concurrently, he entered the Paris Conservatoire in October 1927, studying with Marcel Dupré and Henri Büsser, as well as privately with Louis Vierne. Over the course of six years, he won first prizes in organ, improvisation, fugue, and composition, as well as the Prix Rossini for his cantata Fra Angelico. In 1938 he finished second to Henri Dutilleux in the Prix de Rome, said to be the first time that a blind person was accepted in the competition ; subsequently he asked Dutilleux many times to compose for the organ, but nothing came of it.

He began working as organist at Saint-Cloud in 1934, and after leaving the Paris Conservatoire in 1939 he returned to the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles to teach harmony. In 1944 he began a thirty-year directorship of religious radio programs, where he oversaw five weekly broadcasts. He took up a position in 1946 at St François-Xavier, Paris, where he remained the organist until his death. In 1975 he retired from the radio and began teaching organ at St Maur-des-Fossés Conservatoire, where he “gained numerous disciples.” He died in 1991 in Fays, Vosges.

As a performer, Litaize toured France, western Europe, the USA, and Canada. His first American tour was in the autumn of 1957. His recording of the Messe pour les paroisses by François Couperin on the organ at Saint-Merri earned highly positive reviews, called “admirably recorded” in The Musical Times and a “fine, sensitive performance” in Music and Letters. Unusually, he elected not to use notes inégales in the performance, although he was very interested in researching “old” music. His improvisations were called “shattering displays” and compared favorably to Dupré, Demessieux, Cochereau, and Heiller.

Litaize was highly influential on generations of French organists. He inspired Olivier Latry to choose his career : “at 16 I won piano first prize… and I thought I might continue piano studies at the Paris Conservatoire… However, I decided to play the organ, choosing Gaston Litaize at the CNR de St-Maur-des-Fossés as my teacher as I had heard him give a very exciting recital at the Cathedral of Boulogne-sur-Mer. It was this that confirmed my desire to play the organ“.

http://www.gastonlitaize.com/

Born in 1984 in Besançon, Samuel Liégeon obtained seven first prizes from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris in organ and piano improvisation as well as in writing, analysis and orchestration.

In 2009, at the age of 24, he was appointed titular organist of the great organ of Saint-Pierre de Chaillot in Paris, parish of the Champs-Élysées. Passionate about musical creation and the art of improvisation, he won five international competitions between 2008 and 2012: Haarlem, Chartres, Leipzig, Strasbourg, Muenster. In 2012-2013, he was named young artist in residence in New Orleans, a stay during which he was influenced by jazz music, American painting and infinite landscapes. In parallel to his musical studies, he devotes himself to painting, which he readily defines as an echo of his musical gesture. In music as in painting, the Renaissance and the 20th century have a strong influence on his work. Quickly abandoning figuration, he finds in a form of poetic abstraction the resonance of large acoustic spaces where the rhythm of the line, the harmony of the colors and the movement of the form mingle.

He is regularly invited in Europe and the United States as a musician but also as a painter during exhibitions where music and painting are often mixed. He is regularly heard on radio programs dedicated to him or in the film industry, with whom he regularly collaborates for the accompaniment of films.

Samuel Liégeon has been teaching analysis, composition and arrangement since 2013 at the Pôle Sup’ 93 as well as organ improvisation at the Ecole Supérieure de Musique et Danse de Lille.

In perpetual search of an artistic ideal, Samuel Liégeon set up in 2018 his painting workshop and music studio in Burgundy where he divides his time between musical and pictorial creation.

Samuel LIEGEON – Chartres 2010

Originally from the Pas-de-Calais, Vincent Leroy made his musical studies at the Conservatoire de Lille. He obtained, in addition to the first prize for harmony and counterpoint, an organ and improvisation Excellence Award in the class of Jeanne JOULAIN. It follows, then, in Paris, teaching Rolande FALCINELLI while studying harpsichord and early music with Antoine Geoffroy-DECHAUME.

In 1977, he was named Great Organ of the holder of the Arras Cathedral. It is also organist at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Marcq-en-Barœul, for which he designed a plan for a new organ, installed in 1996.

Director of the Municipal School of Music LILLE-WAZEMMES since its creation in 1981, he was also professor of harmony at the keyboard at the Lille Conservatory and the University of Lille III, and professor of organ at the Conservatoire Tourcoing .

It regularly invites to be heard as a soloist with orchestra or chorus, in France and abroad, particularly in Belgium and the United Kingdom.

He also participated in several recordings as well as TV reports.

Born in 1978, Erwan Le Prado began studying music at the Conservatoire de Caen (France). He continued his studies with Pierre Pincemaille and André Isoir in Paris. At age 15, he was admitted the first to the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris where he studied with Michel Chapuis and Olivier Latry. There he not only won first prizes in Organ and Continuo playing but also, after studying with Loïc Mallié, Thierry Escaich and Marie-Claire Alain, in Organ Improvisation, Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue and 20th century composition.

Erwan Le Prado has made a name for himself in numerous international organ competitions : prize winner in Biarritz, Luzern, St Alban’s, he won the Prix J.S. Bach in Chartres (1996). In 1999 he won first prize at the Concours International Suisse in Genève and, in September 2000, he his the winner of the prestigious Grand Prix de Chartres Interprétation by unanimous decision and of the Audience Prize too.

He has given numerous recitals throughout Europe and other continents : Japan, USA, Canada, South Africa, South America… He is engaged by several International Festivals and appears in very famous places : Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Westminster Abbey in London, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, Geneva’s Victoria Hall (with the Suisse Romande Orchestra conducted by Fabio Luisi), Philharmonia of Varsaw (with the philharmonic orchestra conducted by Antoni Wit), Forbidden City Concert Hall of Beijing (with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tan Lihua)… He is invited abroad to give master-classes (Stellenbosch and Bloemfontein University in South-Africa, National University of Bogota in Columbia, Tokorozawa Concert Hall in Japan, Oundle International Summer School in UK…), and also as jury member (International Organ Competition of St-Albans, Nürnberg International Organ Competition especially…). He has made radio broadcasts in France and abroad and recorded a CD recital at Radio-France in Paris.

Erwan Le Prado devoted several years to the teaching of Scripture and of the Organ ; currently Professor of Organ class at the Conservatoire de Caen, he also regularly participates as a guest lecturer at the International Organ Academy Oundle, Cambridge & Oxford (Great Britain). He is co-organist of the Cavaillé-Coll organ in the abbey church of Saint-Étienne de Caen and the historical Parisot organ of Notre-Dame de Guibray at Falaise.

Erwan LE PRADO – Chartres 2011

Johann Theodorus Lemckert (1940, The Hague) was at the age of 28 appointed organist of the three organs of Rotterdam including the St. Laurenskerk.

Student at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and Paris with Marie-Claire Alain and Gaston Litaize.

Excellence Awards at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, he received various awards such as Pin Erasmus of Rotterdam and the Silver Medal of the Academic Society of Arts, Sciences and Letters in Paris.

Organ professor of church music and improvisation at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, he taught many young organists who obtained important positions in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany and the United States of America.

He has given concerts in almost all Western European countries (St. Bavo in Haarlem, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (“Celebrity Recitals”), St. Stephen Vienna Cathedral of Antwerp, Brussels, Dresden, Nantes , Lausanne …). He also made six major tours in the United States of America and Mexico, where he also gave several Master Class.

Johann Theodorus Lemckert also has activities as a composer for organ, choir a cappella choir with instruments, brass ensemble and various liturgical works of Laurens Church.

http://www.johannthlemckert.nl/

Véronique Le GUEN is tenured organist at the Kern organ of Saint-Séverin church in Paris (since end of 2013). In addition, she is also deputy-manager of the Academy of Church Music and Arts of Sainte-Anne church in Auray (Morbihan). The Academy has been founded in 1999 , as Auray is the most important place of pilgrimage in Brittany. Surrounded by a dynamic team involved in an original project, Véronique is in charge of studies, accompanies the Sainte-Anne d’Auray children’s choir and is also the choirmaster of the Camerata Sainte-Anne.

She is very engaged for Brittany, her native soil, thus she undertakes numerous projects having for centre the organ: teaching, liturgy, cultural and patrimonial activities.

Furthermore she is giving concerts in France and abroad, performing as a soloist or with various musical companies, since 2004 she is giving duo performances with Anne Vataux, dancer and choreographer.

After studies under the direction of Pierre Froment, Susan Landale, Michel Chapuis, Olivier Latry, Huguette Dreyfus and Louis-Marie Vigne, Véronique Le Guen graduated at the National Conservatories in Rennes and Rueil-Malmaison, obtaining diploma in piano, organ, chamber music and harpsichord. At the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Paris she graduated in organ, basso continuo and Gregorian choral conducting. She also obtained the National Diploma and Certificate of Professional Competence and has won prizes at several international competitions.

French critics highly complimented her CDs dedicated to the organ works of the French composers Augustin Barié (2000, Calliope) and Vincent Paulet (2004, Hortus).

In 2014, Véronique recorded César Franck’s Three Chorals and Charles-Marie Widor’s Symphony n° 4 on the Great organ Cavaillé-Coll in Sainte-Anne d’Auray’s basilica (1rst recording after the restoration done by Nicolas Toussaint). She has also taken part in the recording of the CD “O amor Jesu” by Athenaïs (organ works from Nivers on the historic organ Le Helloco in Josselin (56), as well as in the first collective and amicable recording having for centre the Dallam-Sals organ in Crozon (29).

Véronique Le Guen has been elevated to the rank of Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts & Lettres in 2009, by culture minister Christine Albanel.

Veronique LE GUEN – Chartres – 2012

http://www.everyoneweb.fr/VeroniqueLeGuen

The principal studies of Jean-Pierre Leguay were with André Marchal and Gaston Litaize (organ). At the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, he studied with Simone Ple-Caussade (counterpoint), Rolande Falcinelli (organ) and Olivier Messiaen (composition).

Among the numerous honors he earned were 1st prizes in organ, improvisation and composition at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, 1st prize for improvisation on organ and 2nd prize on piano at the Concours International de Lyon.

After serving from 1961 to 1984 at the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris, Jean-Pierre Leguay was appointed titular organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1985.

Internationally recognized (throughout Europe, North America and the Far East), Jean-Pierre Leguay pursues a career as concert organist, composer, and improviser (organ, piano and in ensembles). His busy schedule takes him for concerts and master classes.

He has recorded a number of albums on various European labels (Euromuses, Festivo, Gallo, Hortus, Lade, 3D Classics,…) devoted to the repertoire from XVIIe to XXe century (Bach, Brahms, Mozart, Liszt, Vierne, Franck,…), his own compositions and improvisations.

Jean-Pierre LEGUAY – Chartres 2008

http://www.jeanpierreleguay.com/

Philippe Lefebvre discovered the organ at the age of 15 at the tribune of Notre-Dame de Paris where he met the famous organist Pierre Cochereau.

At the age of 19, he was appointed organist of the Arras cathedral and won the first prize for improvisation at the Lyon international competition in 1971. In 1973 he won the grand prize for improvisation at the Chartres international competition and then became titular organist of this prestigious cathedral.

In 1985 he was appointed titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris with Olivier Latry and Jean-Pierre Leguay.

He regularly gives concerts and master classes in Europe, the United States, South America, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe and has made numerous recordings.

Director of the National Conservatory of Lille from 1980 to 2003, he was then appointed director of the Notre-Dame de Paris masterclass, director of the services of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral and at the same time professor of improvisation at the National Superior Conservatory of Music in Paris until 2014.

He was for more than twenty years a qualified member of the commissions of the Ministry of Culture in charge of the restoration and construction of organs and a member of the Superior Commission of Historic Monuments.
Considered as one of the most representative interpreters and improvisers of French art, Philippe Lefebvre is president of the association of the great organs of Chartres and of the national association Orgue en France.

Philippe LEFEBVRE – Chartres 2013

http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/Philippe-LEFEBVRE

Since 1985 Philippe Lefebvre has been organist-titular of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He discovered the organ at age 15 ; on the advice of Pierre Cochereau, then Organist of Notre-Dame, he began studies in organ and improvisation first at the Conservatory in Lille ont then Paris. In 1971 he was awarded the first prize in organ and improvisation from the National Conservatory and first prize in counterpoint and fugue. He also won first prize in improvisation at Lyon and one year later first prize in the prestigious Chartres Cathedral international competition.

In 1976 he was appointed titular organist of Chartres Cathedral, then in 1985 as titular of Notre-Dame Cathedral with Olivier Latry and Jean-Pierre Leguay.

Alongside his concert career Philippe Lefebvre is “manager”: it has been for over twenty years as director of the National Conservatory of Lille, the oldest in France, which under his leadership became one of the most famous in 1700 with students.

He was then appointed Director of the Master of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, General Director of Services of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, and for several years he was a professor of improvisation at the National Superior Conservatory of Music in Paris .

Philippe Lefebvre has traveled the world playing concerts and conducting master classes. He has many recordings to his name and is regarded as one of the players and improvisers most representative of the French Organ School, an art which he illustrates troughout the world.

Philippe LEFEBVRE – Chartres 2013

http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/Philippe-LEFEBVRE