Charles Tournemire

Full biography Charles Tournemire

Charles Tournemire (1870-1939) was a French composer, famous for his work as an organist and his contributions to sacred music. He is considered among the most important organ composers of the 20th century.

Tournemire was born in Bordeaux, France, and began studying piano at an early age. Later, he attended the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under César Franck and Charles-Marie Widor, who were major influences on his musical development.

Tournemire had a successful career as a church organist, serving at several prominent churches in France, including Notre-Dame de Paris. He was known for his improvisations during services, which were highly regarded and attracted large audiences.

As a composer, Tournemire is best known for his compositions for organ, which display a highly personal style that drew on a variety of influences, including Gregorian chant, medieval music, and contemporary harmonies. Tournemire's music was also marked by a deep spirituality, and many of his works were inspired by religious themes and texts. His best-known composition is L'Orgue Mystique, a collection of 51 sets of organ pieces for the liturgical year.

Besides his work as an organist and composer, Tournemire was also a teacher. He taught organ at the Paris Conservatory, and his students included Olivier Messiaen and Maurice Duruflé, who went on to become important composers in their own right.

Tournemire's music was somewhat overshadowed by the work of his contemporaries, such as Debussy and Ravel, but it has enjoyed a revival in recent years, with increased interest in his compositions for organ and his contributions to sacred music. Today, Tournemire is recognized as an important figure in French music, and his work continues to influence organists and composers around the world.