Short bio Nicolas Lebègue
Full biography Nicolas Lebègue
Nicolas Lebègue was a French Baroque composer and one of the most significant organists of his time. He was born in Laon, France, in 1631 and spent most of his life in Paris. Lebègue was known for his exceptional talent as an organist, harpsichordist, and composer.
Not much is known about Lebègue's early life. However, it is believed that he was educated at the Jesuit college in La Flèche. He began his career as an organist at the Chapelle Sainte-Anne in Paris, and his talent was soon recognized. In 1664, he became an organist at the Saint-Merri church in Paris, where he remained until his death in 1702.
Lebègue was known for his exceptional ability to improvise on the organ. He was famous for his elaborate and highly complex improvisations, which astounded his listeners. He was also a skilled composer and published several collections of keyboard music, including organ music, harpsichord pieces, and some chamber music.
Lebègue's keyboard music is characterized by its intricate harmonies, complex counterpoint, and dazzling ornamentation. His compositions were inspired by the French Baroque style and were greatly influenced by François Couperin, whom he is said to have taught. His most famous work is the 'Pièces de clavecin en concerts' (Harpsichord Pieces in Concerts), which is a collection of chamber music that showcases his compositional genius.
Despite his considerable reputation, Lebègue's music was largely forgotten after his death. However, in recent times, his music has been rediscovered and is now gaining in popularity. Lebègue was undoubtedly one of the most significant composers of his time and played a crucial role in the development of French Baroque music.
Compositions featuring Nicolas Lebègue
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christus natus est, motet | 1:52 min | 17?? | |
| 2 | Suite (Les Pièces de Clavessin) | 13:28 min | Keyboard | 1687 |
| 3 | Pièces de Clavessin, Second Book | 87:17 min | Keyboard | 1687 |
| 4 | Elévation, for organ in G minor | 2:08 min | Keyboard | 1685 |
| 5 | Suite for harpsichord in D minor (Pièces de Clavessin) | 29:24 min | Keyboard | 1677 |
| 6 | Pièces de Clavessin, First Book | 103:37 min | Keyboard | 1677 |
| 7 | Une Vierge Pucelle | 2:18 min | Keyboard | 16?? |
| 8 | Elévation for organ in B flat major | 2:15 min | Keyboard | - |
| 9 | Allemande for harpsichord in D major (from Pièces de Clavessin) | 2:46 min | Keyboard | - |
| 10 | Trio for 3 pianos | 1:54 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 11 | Tierce en taille du deuxième ton, for organ in G minor | 3:22 min | Keyboard | - |
| 12 | Tierce en taille du 1er ton, for organ | 5:11 min | Keyboard | - |
| 13 | Symphonie sur le fa bémol | 3:26 min | Symphony | - |
| 14 | Suite for organ in 3eme ton | 12:01 min | Keyboard | - |
| 15 | Cromhorne for organ on the 7th tone (Le Livre d'Orgue de Montréal No. 196) | 2:33 min | Keyboard | - |
| 16 | Suite en Ut la mir re (Pièces de Clavessin) | 15:28 min | Keyboard | - |
| 17 | Suite du Sixième Ton | 10:49 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 18 | Dessus de Cromhorne for organ | 2:22 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 19 | Salve Regina, motet for voice & organ | 5:24 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 20 | Regina coeli, motet for voice & organ | 2:23 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 21 | Puer Nobis Nascitur for organ | 2:20 min | Keyboard | - |
| 22 | Prélude du premiere ton | 1:42 min | - | |
| 23 | Plein Jeu du huitième ton, for organ | 2:00 min | Keyboard | - |
| 24 | Gavotte (I) for harpsichord in D major (from Pièces de Clavessin) | 0:26 min | - | |
| 25 | Elévation for organ in G major | 2:13 min | Keyboard | - |
| 26 | Pièces d'Orgue, Book 3 | 4:44 min | Keyboard | - |
| 27 | Pièces d'Orgue, Book 1 | 1:57 min | Keyboard | - |
| 28 | Où s'en vont ces gais bergers?, plein jeu for organ | 1:28 min | Keyboard | - |
| 29 | Où s'en vont ces gais bergers?, noël for organ | 2:34 min | Keyboard | - |
| 30 | Où s'en vont ces gais bergers?, grand jeu for organ | 0:53 min | Keyboard | - |
| 31 | Or nous dites Marie | 2:37 min | Keyboard | - |
| 32 | Offertoire en C | 4:56 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 33 | Noël, cette journée, for trumpet & organ | 2:04 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 34 | Noël pour l'amour de Marie, noël for organ | 2:55 min | Keyboard | - |
| 35 | Noel cette journée (Christmas Day Today), noël for organ | 2:03 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 36 | Les cloches, noël for organ | 3:01 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 37 | Laissez paistre vos bestes, noël for organ | 2:09 min | Keyboard | - |
| 38 | La venue de Noël, noël for organ | 2:10 min | Keyboard | - |
| 39 | Gloria, suite for organ | 7:32 min | - |
Albums featuring Nicolas Lebègue
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Lebègue, Agustín Álvarez – Les Pièces de Clavessin, Books I & II(3×CD, Album) | 2020 | Brilliant Classics |
| 2 |  |
Nicolas De Grigny, Nicolas Lebègue - Nicolas Bucher, Ensemble Gilles Binchois – Écrire Le Temps(2×CD, Album) | 2020 | Editions Hortus |
| 3 |  |
David Ponsford, Guillaume Gabriel Nivers, Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue – French Organ Music : Volume 4(CD, Album) | 2014 | Nimbus Alliance |
| 4 |  |
Nicolas Lebègue • Jean-Patrice Brosse – Premier Livre D'Orgue(2×CD, Album, Reissue) | 2002 | Arion |
| 5 |  |
Serge Schoonbroodt, Nicolas Lebègue – Orgue De Wallonie - Quatre Suites Pour Orgue(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1999 | Blawète Records |
| 6 |  |
Nicolas Lebegue, Bibiane Lapointe – Pièces de Clavessin / Harpsichord Works(CD, Stereo) | 1996 | Disques Pierre Verany |
| 7 |  |
Nicolas Lebègue / Thierry Maeder – Pièces D'Orgue / Organ Works(CD, ) | 1996 | Disques Pierre Verany |
| 8 |  |
Marie-Claire Alain / Lebègue, Dandrieu, Daquin, Balbastre – Noëls Pour Orgue(CD, Album, Club Edition) | 1990 | Erato |
| 9 |  |
Nicolas De Grigny, André Isoir, Nicolas Lebègue – Messe Pour Orgue | 1989 | Calliope |
| 10 |  |
Ensemble Vocal De Nantes, Paul Colléaux, Marc Antoine Charpentier, Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue – Messe De Minuit Pour 4 Voix Flutes Et Violons(LP) | 1985 | Arion |
| 11 |  |
Guillaume Gabriel Nivers, Louis-Claude Daquin, Claude Balbastre, Jean-Charles Ablitzer, Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue – Noëls Français à L'orgue : Nivers, Le Bègue, Daquin, Balbastre(2×LP, Compilation) | 1983 | I.L.D |
| 12 |  |
Nicolas Lebègue • Jean-Patrice Brosse – Premier Livre D'Orgue(3×LP, Stereo, Box Set, ) | 1982 | Arion |
| 13 |  |
Nicolas De Grigny, Nicolas Lebègue - André Isoir – La Messe / Suite Du Deuxieme Ton - Symphonie Sur Le Bemol Fa - Elevation En Sol Majeur(2×LP, Album) | 1981 | Musical Heritage Society |
| 14 |  |
Jacques Marichal, Jean-Baptiste Loeillet, Johann Sebastian Bach, Louis-Claude Daquin, Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue, Joseph Noyon, Jean Bouvard – Noël Aux Orgues De Notre-Dame De Paris(LP, Album) | 1979 | Disques SEL/LEVAIN Classique |
| 15 |  |
Arturo Sacchetti, Pierre Attaignant, Jehan Titelouze, François Roberday, Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue, Louis Marchand, Jacques Boyvin, Louis-Nicolas Clérambault, Jean-Henry D'Anglebert, François Couperin, Nicolas De Grigny, Jean-François Dandrieu, Louis-Claude | 1979 | LDC |
| 16 |  |
Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue – Marie-Claire Alain – Pièces Pour Orgue(LP, Stereo) | 1977 | Erato |
| 17 |  |
Ton Koopman - Dandrieu, Daquin, Lebegue – Franse Orgelwerken Uit De Barok (Ton Koopman Speelt Op Het Louis-Alexandre Clicquot-Orgel Van Houdan, Frankrijk | 1975 | Harlekijn Holland Produkties |
| 18 |  |
Raphael Tambyeff, Claude Balbastre, Marc Antoine Charpentier, Pierre Dandrieu, Jean-François Dandrieu, Louis-Claude Daquin, Antoine Dornel, Guillaume Lasceux, Nicolas Lebègue – Noëls Français Des Grands Compositeurs Des 17-18° S.(LP, Stereo) | 1974 | Arion |
| 19 |  |
Nivers, Le Begue – Maestri D'Organo Del Seicento Francese(LP, Stereo) | 1974 | Arion |
| 20 |  |
Le Begue / Lasceux / Couperin / Guilain / Corrette / Dornel / André Isoir, Xavier Darasse, René Saorgin – A Survey Of The World Greatest Organ Music - France - Volume II(3×LP, Box Set, ) | 1973 | VOX (6) |
| 21 |  |
Lebègue, Grigny - André Isoir – Lebègue "Suite Du Deuxième Ton" - "Elévation En Sol" - Symphonie Sur Le Bémol Fa / Grigny "La Messe (I)" | 1972 | Calliope |
| 22 |  |
André Isoir, Nicolas De Grigny / Lebègue – Livre D'Orgue / Pièces Choisies(3×LP, Box Set, ) | 1972 | Calliope |
| 23 |  |
Couperin / Le Bègue – Two Organ Masses / Magnificat | 1967 | Turnabout |
| 24 |  |
Le Bègue / Dandrieu / Corrette / Balbastre / Daquin - Gaston Litaize – Versailles (Les Plus Beaux Noël)(LP, 10", Album, Mono) | 1957 | Ducretet Thomson |
| 25 |  |
Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue, André Raison, Jean-François Dandrieu, Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Jean-Marie Leclair, Giovanni Battista Vitali, Giovanni Legrenzi, John Jenkins (5), Arcangelo Corelli – The Growth Of Instrumental Music (1630-1750)(LP, Album) | - | His Master's Voice |
| 26 |  |
Louis-Nicolas Clérambault, Jean-Henry d'Anglebert, Louis Couperin, Gaspard Le Roux, Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue, Marin Marais, Kenneth Gilbert – Pièces de clavecin(CD, Album) | - | Archiv Produktion |
| 27 |  |
Louis-Claude Daquin, François Dandrieu, Rene Dandrieu, Claude Balbastre, Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue , Marie-Claire Alain – Noels Francais Pour Orgues(LP) | - | Erato |
| 28 |  |
Nicolas Lebègue, Noëlie Pierront – Messe D'orgue(LP) | - | Schwann Musica Sacra |
| 29 |  |
Lebègue, Daquin, Balbastre, Charpentier Played By Gerald Gifford – Noëls(LP, 45 RPM, Album, Stereo) | - | Meridian (2) |
Videos featuring Nicolas Lebègue
Noëls Pour Orgue (Lebègue, Daquin, Dandrieu, Balbastre) Marie-Claire Alain
01. Nicolas Lebègue - Où s'en vont ces gais bergers ? 0:00
02. Nicolas Lebègue - Pour l'amour de Marie 3:05
03. Pierre Dandrieu - Or, dites-nous, Marie 6:30
04. Jean-François Dandrieu - Chantons de voix hautaine 9:57
05. Jean-François Dandrieu - Joseph
F Couperin / Xavier Darasse, 1965: Messe À L'Usage Des Couvents
From the LP shown above, released on the Vox Turnabout label.
Nicolas Lebègue - Pièces de clavessin, Bibiane Lapointe
Premier Livre (1677)
Pièces en a mi la ré
1. Prélude 0:00
2. Allemande 1:16
3. Courante 3:56
4. Sarabande 4:49
5. Gigue 8:15
6. Menuet 10:46
Pièces en d la ré sol
1. Prélude 11:56
2. Allemande 13:17
3. Courante 15:16
4. Sarabande 16:13
5. Gavotte 19:10
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