Marcel Dupré Recordings

Marcel Dupré was one of the greatest organists of all time. He had complete technical command over his instrument, and his brilliant technique accentuated his extraordinary talents as an improviser. But what is more, Dupré was blessed with a prodigious memory, which allowed him to play the complete works of Bach in 10 concerts entirely from memory. Marcel Dupré was born into a highly musical family. His father was organist in Rouen and his mother a pianist. Marcel was a child prodigy, and he first received instructions from his father. He played his first public concert at the age of 10, and at 12 he became organist at St. Vivien in Rouen. Since his father was good friends with the great organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, a dedicated organ was installed in the family house. By 1902, Dupré had entered the Paris Conservatoire to study piano with Louis Diémer, organ with Alexandre Guilmant and Louis Vierne, and fugue with Charles-Marie Widor. He won first prizes in all three disciplines, and added the Prix de Rome for his cantata Psyché in 1914.