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The French organist and composer, André Isoir, studied in Paris at the École Cesar-Franck with Édouard Souberbielle (organ) and Germaine Mounier (piano). At the Conservatoire de Paris, he studied with Rolande Falcinelli and received the premier prix in both organ and improvisation in 1960. He won several international organ competitions including the St Albans International Organ Festival in England in 1965, then won 3 consecutive annual prizes (Prix du Challenge) at Haarlem Competition in Holland (1966-1968). He was the first French organist to achieve this distinction in the history of the competition. In 1974 Isoir was given the prize in composition by the Amis de l'Orgue for his Variations sur un psaume Huguenot.
André Isoir served as organist at St.-Médard from 1952 to 1957, at St.-Séverin from 1967 to 1973, and at the Abbatial Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris from 1973. As a recitalist, he became particularly well known for his performances of the works of J.S. Bach.
André Isoir made many recordings, particularly on the Calliope label. As of 2006, there were 36 of his recordings in the catalog. They have received numerous awards. He made over 20 CD's of the organ works of J.S. Bach. His recordings of the music of César Franck on the organ of the cathedral at Luçon have also been particularly praised. He did not neglect more obscure but very worthy composers. He recorded the complete organ output of Nicolas de Grigny who died in 1703 at only 31, but not before "epitomizing the French classical organ tradition...which was) stylistically more akin to harpsichord than to organ practice at the time." |
