Thierry Escaich
Encyclopedia
Thierry Escaich, born 8 May 1965 in Nogent-sur-Marne
, is a French organist
and composer
.
Together with Vincent Warnier, he was appointed organist at the Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
church in Paris in 1996 (succeeding Maurice Duruflé
). He tours internationally as a performing artist and composer.
His passion for the cinema has led him to improvise on the piano and the organ; he composed the music for Frank Borzage
’s film Seventh Heaven, commissioned by the Louvre in 1999.
As a composer he was first discovered in 1989, when he received the Blumenthal Prize from the Fondation franco-américaine Florence Blumenthal. To date he has written more than a hundred works, awarded with the Prix des Lycéens (2002), the Grand Prix de la Musique symphonique from the SACEM
in 2004, and on three occasions, in 2003, 2006 and 2011, the French Victoires de la Musique
Composer of the Year award.
Although he widely composes for the organ (solo pieces, chamber music, two concertos, La Barque Solaire [The Sun Boat] for organ and orchestra), Thierry Escaich is open to all genres and forms
He wrote a ballet for the New York City Ballet
, The Lost Dancer, which was world-premiered in New York City in May 2010 under the title Why am I not where you are
(choreography by Benjamin Millepied
, scenic designs by Santiago Calatrava
).
After being composer in residence with the Orchestre National de Lille, the Orchestre de Bretagne and the Orchestra National de Lyon, he will take up his position as associated composer with the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris in September 2011.
His music is performed by orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra
, the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra, the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra or the Orchestre de Paris
, by choirs such as Radio France Choir, the BBC Choir, Sequenza 9.3 and by musicians such as Christoph Eschenbach
, Lothar Zagrosek
, Jun Märkl
, Claire-Marie Le Guay
, Paul Meyer
, Gautier
and Renaud Capuçon, Olivier Latry
, Iveta Apkalna
, David Grimal
, Nora Gubisch, John Mark Ainsley
, the Trio Dali, the Trio Wanderer
and the Quatuor Voce.
Nogent-sur-Marne
Nogent-sur-Marne is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Nogent-sur-Marne is a sous-préfecture of the Val-de-Marne département, being the seat of the Arrondissement of Nogent-sur-Marne.-History:...
, is a French organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Life
Born in 1965, Thierry Escaich studied organ, improvisation and composition at the Paris Conservatory (CNSMDP), where he won 8 “first prizes” and where he has taught improvisation and composition since 1992.Together with Vincent Warnier, he was appointed organist at the Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is a church in Paris, France, located on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in the Ve arrondissement, near the Panthéon. It contains the shrine of St. Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris....
church in Paris in 1996 (succeeding Maurice Duruflé
Maurice Duruflé
Maurice Duruflé was a French composer, organist, and pedagogue.Duruflé was born in Louviers, Eure. In 1912, he became chorister at the Rouen Cathedral Choir School, where he studied piano and organ with Jules Haelling...
). He tours internationally as a performing artist and composer.
His passion for the cinema has led him to improvise on the piano and the organ; he composed the music for Frank Borzage
Frank Borzage
Frank Borzage was an American film director and actor.-Biography:Frank Borzage's father, Luigi Borzaga, was born in Ronzone, in 1859. As a stonemason, he sometimes worked in Switzerland; he met his future wife, Maria Ruegg , where she worked in a silk factory...
’s film Seventh Heaven, commissioned by the Louvre in 1999.
As a composer he was first discovered in 1989, when he received the Blumenthal Prize from the Fondation franco-américaine Florence Blumenthal. To date he has written more than a hundred works, awarded with the Prix des Lycéens (2002), the Grand Prix de la Musique symphonique from the SACEM
SACEM
SACEM may refer to:* The Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique is a French professional association collecting payments of artists’ rights and distributing the rights to the original authors, composers and publishers...
in 2004, and on three occasions, in 2003, 2006 and 2011, the French Victoires de la Musique
Victoires de la Musique
Victoires de la musique , is an annual French award ceremony that recognizes the best musical artists of the year.- Male artist of the year :*1985 : Michel Jonasz*1986 : Jean-Jacques Goldman*1987 : Johnny Hallyday...
Composer of the Year award.
Although he widely composes for the organ (solo pieces, chamber music, two concertos, La Barque Solaire [The Sun Boat] for organ and orchestra), Thierry Escaich is open to all genres and forms
He wrote a ballet for the New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
, The Lost Dancer, which was world-premiered in New York City in May 2010 under the title Why am I not where you are
Why am I not where you are
Why am I not where you are is a ballet comissioned by New York City Ballet and made by principal dancer Benjamin Millepied to a likewise commissioned score by French composer Thierry Escaich, The Lost Dancer. It is the choreographer's second ballet for City Ballet; the premiere took place on...
(choreography by Benjamin Millepied
Benjamin Millepied
Benjamin Millepied is a French danseur, best known for his work as choreographer in the movie Black Swan .-Early life:...
, scenic designs by Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava Valls is a Spanish architect, sculptor and structural engineer whose principal office is in Zürich, Switzerland. Classed now among the elite designers of the world, he has offices in Zürich, Paris, Valencia, and New York City....
).
After being composer in residence with the Orchestre National de Lille, the Orchestre de Bretagne and the Orchestra National de Lyon, he will take up his position as associated composer with the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris in September 2011.
His music is performed by orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
, the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra, the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra or the Orchestre de Paris
Orchestre de Paris
The Orchestre de Paris is a French orchestra based in Paris. The orchestra performs most of its concerts at the Salle Pleyel.-History:In 1967, following the dissolution of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, conductor Charles Munch was called on by the Minister of Culture,...
, by choirs such as Radio France Choir, the BBC Choir, Sequenza 9.3 and by musicians such as Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach , born February 20, 1940, Breslau, Germany is a German-born pianist and conductor. He currently holds positions in Washington, D.C. as music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and music director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.-Early...
, Lothar Zagrosek
Lothar Zagrosek
Lothar Zagrosek is a German conductor. As a youth, he sang in the Regensburg Cathedral choir, including performances as the First Boy in The Magic Flute at the 1954 Salzburg Festival...
, Jun Märkl
Jun Märkl
Jun Märkl is a German conductor, the son of a German violinist father and a Japanese pianist mother. He studied piano and the violin as a youth. Beginning in 1978 at the Musikhochschule Hannover he continued his piano and violin studies and also began to study conducting. He later attended the...
, Claire-Marie Le Guay
Claire-Marie Le Guay
-Early life:Le Guay began playing piano at age 4 and entered the Paris Conservatoire at age 14, where she studied with Jacques Rouvier, Pascal Devoyon and Bruno Rigutto...
, Paul Meyer
Paul Meyer
Marie-Paul-Hyacinthe Meyer , was a French philologist.-Biography:Meyer was born in Paris and educated at the Lycée Louis le Grand and the École des Chartes, specializing in the Romance languages....
, Gautier
Gautier Capuçon
-Biography:Gautier Capuçon was born in Chambéry, Savoie, the youngest of three siblings. His brother is the violinist Renaud Capuçon.He started learning the cello when he was four years old...
and Renaud Capuçon, Olivier Latry
Olivier Latry
Olivier Latry is a French organist, improviser and Professor of Organ in the Conservatoire de Paris. Latry was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France...
, Iveta Apkalna
Iveta Apkalna
Iveta Apkalna is a Latvian organist.- Biography :Iveta Apkalna studied piano and organ at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, graduating in both instruments with distinction in 1999. In 1999/2000 she continued piano studies at London Guildhall School of Music and Drama...
, David Grimal
David Grimal
David Grimal is a French violinist.He started to play the violin at the age of five. He won First Prize in violin and chamber music at the Paris Conservatory in 1993. Afterwards he did his postgraduate studies with Regis PASQUIER...
, Nora Gubisch, John Mark Ainsley
John Mark Ainsley
John Mark Ainsley is an English lyric tenor. Known for his supple voice, Ainsley is particularly admired for his interpretations of baroque music and the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart...
, the Trio Dali, the Trio Wanderer
Trio Wanderer
Trio Wanderer is a piano trio formed by three french musicians at the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique. They studied with such masters as Menahem Pressler from the Beaux Arts Trio, and the Amadeus Quartet. They won numerous prizes such as the ARD Competition in Munich and the...
and the Quatuor Voce.
Discography
- Le Chemin de la Croix, improvisations (texts by Paul ClaudelPaul ClaudelPaul Claudel was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptor Camille Claudel. He was most famous for his verse dramas, which often convey his devout Catholicism.-Life:...
), Thierry Escaich (organ), Georges WilsonGeorges WilsonGeorges Wilson was a French film and television actor. He is the father of French actor Lambert Wilson.Wilson was born in Champigny-sur-Marne, Seine , to a French father and an Irish mother...
(speaker), recorded at LaonLaonLaon is the capital city of the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-History:The hilly district of Laon, which rises a hundred metres above the otherwise flat Picardy plain, has always held strategic importance...
cathedral, Calliope, 2000. - Trumpet & Organ : Bizet, Franck, Purcell, Bach, Mozart, Tomasi, Gounod, Spiritual, Christmas Medley. Eric Aubier (trumpet), Thierry Escaich (organ). Indésens/Sony Classical, 2000.
- Œuvres pour orgue et voix, Thierry Escaich (organ), Ensemble vocal Soli Tutti, Éric Aubier (trumpet), recorded at Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church, Paris, Calliope, 2001.
- Concerto pour orgue - Première Symphonie - Fantaisie concertante, Olivier LatryOlivier LatryOlivier Latry is a French organist, improviser and Professor of Organ in the Conservatoire de Paris. Latry was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France...
(organ), Claire-Marie Le Guay (piano), Orchestre philharmonique de Liège, cond. Pascal Rophé. Accord/Universal, 2002. Diapason d’or de l’année award. - Le Dernier Evangile - Trois danses improvisées, Ensemble orchestral de Paris, Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris, Choeur Britten, Olivier LatryOlivier LatryOlivier Latry is a French organist, improviser and Professor of Organ in the Conservatoire de Paris. Latry was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France...
(organ), cond. John Nelson, recorded at Notre-Dame de Paris. Éditions HortusÉditions HortusÉditions Hortus is an independent French disk producer which offers largely unknown works for voice and organ as well as contemporary compositions...
, 2002. - ExultetExultetThe Exsultet or Easter Proclamation, in Latin Praeconium Paschale, is the hymn of praise sung, ideally by the deacon, before the paschal candle during the Easter Vigil in the Roman Rite of Mass. In the absence of a deacon, it may be sung by a priest, or by a cantor...
, vocal works, Ensemble Sequenza 9.3, cond. Catherine Simonpietri, Accord/Universal, 2006 - Miroir d'ombres, for violin, cello and orchestra [1] – Vertiges de la Croix [2] – Chaconne [3], Renaud Capuçon (violin), Gautier Capuçon (cello), Orchestre national de Lille, cond. Paul Polivnik [1], Michiyoshi Inoue [2], Jean-Claude Casadesus [3]. Label : Accord/Universal, 2007. Monde de la Musique magazine’s Choc de l’année award.
- Organ Spectacular, improvisations à l'orgue (concert recordings), 2 CD Accord, 2008.
- Lettres mêlées autour de Thierry Escaich, chamber music : Bartók, Debussy, Martinu, Escaich (Lettres mêlées + Scènes d'enfants au crépuscule). Emmanuel PahudEmmanuel PahudEmmanuel Pahud is a Swiss flute player.He was born in Geneva, Switzerland. His father is of French and Swiss background and his mother is French. The Berlin-based flutist is most known for his baroque and classical flute repertory....
(flute) – François LeleuxFrançois LeleuxFrançois Leleux is a French oboist, conductor, and professor. His professional career began at 18 when he became principal oboe at the Paris Opera. He went on to win a solo position at the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and currently does some concerts with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe as...
(oboe) – Paul MeyerPaul MeyerMarie-Paul-Hyacinthe Meyer , was a French philologist.-Biography:Meyer was born in Paris and educated at the Lycée Louis le Grand and the École des Chartes, specializing in the Romance languages....
(clarinet) – Trio WandererTrio WandererTrio Wanderer is a piano trio formed by three french musicians at the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique. They studied with such masters as Menahem Pressler from the Beaux Arts Trio, and the Amadeus Quartet. They won numerous prizes such as the ARD Competition in Munich and the...
. Label : Accord/Universal, 2009. - Musique française pour instruments à vent, Quintette Aquilon : Escaich (Instants fugitifs), Tomasi, Ibert, Françaix. Label Premiers Horizons (distr. Codaex), 2009.
- Étranges étrangers – Guidoni chante Prévert, songs on poems by Jacques PrévertJacques PrévertJacques Prévert was a French poet and screenwriter. His poems became and remain very popular in the French-speaking world, particularly in schools. Some of the movies he wrote are extremely well regarded, with Les Enfants du Paradis considered one of the greatest films of all time.-Life and...
, sung by Jean Guidoni. Two songs by Thierry Escaich : Maintenant j'ai grandi and Elle disait. Label : Edito Musique, 2009. - Tanz-Fantasie, French music for organ and trmpet. Eric Aubier (trumpet) and Thierry Escaich (organ, Saint-Étienne-du-Mont,Paris) : Escaich, Bacri, Tomasi, Jolivet, + 5 improvisations. Label Indésens (distr. Codaex) INDE012, 2009.
- Les Nuits hallucinées. La Barque solaire, Les Nuits hallucinées, Violin Concerto. Thierry Escaich (organ), Nora Gubisch (mezzo-soprano), David Grimal (violin), Orchestre national de Lyon, cond. Jun MärklJun MärklJun Märkl is a German conductor, the son of a German violinist father and a Japanese pianist mother. He studied piano and the violin as a youth. Beginning in 1978 at the Musikhochschule Hannover he continued his piano and violin studies and also began to study conducting. He later attended the...
, Christian Arming. Accord/Universal, 2011. Classica magazine’s Choc award.
Solo Organ
- Trois Esquisses (1990)
- Cinq Versets sur le « Victimæ paschali » (1991)
- Quatrième Esquisse (« Le Cri des abîmes ») (1993)
- Récit (1995)
- Deux Évocations (1996)
- Poèmes (2002)
- Agnus Dei (2003)
- Évocation III (2008)
Other solo instruments
- Les Litanies de l’ombre (1990) - piano
- Lutte (1994) - saxophone
- Jeux de doubles (2001) - piano
- Nun komm (2001) - violin
- Aria (2002) - piano
- Cantus I (2005) - cello
- Deux Études baroques (2009) - piano
Chamber music (2-6 instruments)
- Trois Intermezzi (1990) for flute, clarinet and saxophone
- Comme l’écho d’une fantaisie (1992) for 2 cornetts and organ (without pedal)
- Introït à l’Office des ténèbres (1992) for flute and blue harp (or piano)
- Psalmodie à l’Office des ténèbres (1992) for flute, blue harp and percussion
- Scènes d’enfants au crépuscule (1993) for flute, cello and piano
- Trio américain (« Suppliques ») (1994) pour clarinet, alto and piano
- Trois Instants fugitifs (1994) for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon
- Variations gothiques (1996) for flute and string trio
- Nocturne (1997) for cello and piano
- Tanz-Fantasie (1997) for trumpet and piano
- Ground I (avant 1998) for accordion and euphonium
- Chorus (1998) for clarinet, string quartet and piano
- La Ronde (2000) for string quartet and piano
- Tanz-Fantasie (2000) for trumpet and organ
- Choral’s Dream (2001) for piano and organ
- Scènes de bal (2001) for string quartet
- Spring’s Dance (2001) for 2 pianos and percussion
- Le Bal (2003) for 4 saxophones
- Lettres mêlées (2003) for violin, cello and piano
- Après l’aurore (2005) for string quartet
- Una storia (2005) for violin, alto, cello, clarinet, percussions and piano
- Mecanic Song (2006) for wind quintet and piano
- Ground II (2007) for organ and percussions
- Ground III (2008) for 4 cellos
- Phantasia antiqua (2009) for 2 saxophones and piano
Ensemble (7 instruments and more)
- Antiennes oubliées (1989) for violin, cello, flute, saxophone in E b, trumpet, trombone and percussion
- Rhapsodie (1989) for clarinet, bassoon, cornet, trombone, violin, double bass and percussion.
- Magic Circus (2004) for wind octet
- Fanfare (2006) for brass ensemble
Concertos
- Émergence (1988)
- Le Chant des ténèbres (1992) for soprano saxophone and strings
- Le Chant des ténèbres (1992) for soprano saxophone and 12 saxophones
- Organ Concerto n° 1 (1995)
- Fantaisie concertante (1995) for piano and orchestra
- Élégie (1996) for trumpet et ensemble instrumental
- Organ Concerto n° 2 (2006)
- La Barque solaire (2008) for organ and orchestra
- Le Chant des ténèbres (2008) for clarinet and strings
- Miroir d’ombres (2008) for violin, cello and orchestra
- Résurgences (2008) for trumpet and orchestra
- Violin Concerto (2009)
Orchestral music
- Baroque Song (1985) for small orchestra
- Première Symphonie (« Kyrie d’une messe imaginaire ») (1992)
- Chaconne (2000)
- Intrada (2003)
- Vertiges de la croix (2004)
A cappella vocal and choral music
- Ad ultimas laudes (1993)
- Les Lamentations (du prophète Jérémie) (1998)
- Alléluias (2001)
- Dixit Dominus (2002)
- Sanctus (2007)
- Vocis cælestis (2009)
Vocal and choral music with instrument(s)
- Grande Messe solennelle (1994)
- Trois Motets (1998)
- Le Dernier Évangile (1999)
- D’une douleur muette (2001)
- Terra desolata (2001)
- In memoriam (2002)
- Visions nocturnes (2004) for mezzo-soprano, clarinet, string quartet and piano
- Exultet (2005)
- Feu vert (2005)
- Valse désarticulée (2008) for soprano and saxophone
- Les Nuits hallucinées (2008) for mezzo-soprano and orchestra
- Madre (2010) for soprano and piano
- Alléluias pro omni tempore (2010)
- Guernesey (2010), for tenor and piano (poems by Victor HugoVictor HugoVictor-Marie Hugo was a Frenchpoet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights activist and exponent of the Romantic movement in France....
)
Movies
- Seventh Heaven (1999), music for the silent movies by Frank BorzageFrank BorzageFrank Borzage was an American film director and actor.-Biography:Frank Borzage's father, Luigi Borzaga, was born in Ronzone, in 1859. As a stonemason, he sometimes worked in Switzerland; he met his future wife, Maria Ruegg , where she worked in a silk factory...
for clarinet, violin, alto, cello, piano and percussions
Pedagogical works
- Choral varié (en hommage à Jean-Sébastien Bach) (1984) for junior orchestra
- Suite en forme de choral varié (1990) for junior orchestra
- Tango virtuoso (1991) for 4 saxophones
- Énigme (1992) for double bass and piano
- Huit Pièces (1993) for saxophone and piano
- Amélie’s Dream (1997) for saxophone en mi b and piano
- Variations-Études (2002) for piano
- Tango virtuoso (2005) for 4 clarinets
- Sax Trip (2006) for alto saxophone and junior string orchestra
- Étude-Passacaille (2009) for piano