Marie-Claire Alain (1926–2013) was a renowned French organist, known for her deep understanding of baroque music, particularly the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Born into a family of musicians, her career was marked by a dedication to the organ repertoire, which led her to perform, record, and educate extensively. Alain's scholarship and artistry were deeply intertwined, as she sought not only to perform music at the highest level but also to delve into the musicological aspects of the pieces she played. She contributed significantly to the field by recording the complete organ works of J.S. Bach on three separate occasions, each time with new historical and artistic insights.

Her profound impact on the organ music landscape earned her widespread acclaim and multiple awards. Marie-Claire Alain was particularly lauded for her recordings of French organ music, often bringing to life the works of composers such as François Couperin, Nicolas de Grigny, and her brother Jehan Alain, thus preserving these pieces for posterity. As an educator, she not only served as a professor at the Paris Conservatory but also taught and influenced a generation of organists through master classes worldwide. Her legacy is evident in the lineage of musicians who view her both as a foundational figure in the interpretation of organ music and a standard-bearer for its performance practice.

Genres

Classical Organ

Latest Release

Une vie pour l'orgue

Marie-Claire Alain•

Camille Saint-Saëns•

César Franck•

Dietrich Buxtehude•

Felix Mendelssohn•

Francis Poulenc•

Gabriel Fauré•

George Frideric Handel•

Johann Sebastian Bach•

Olivier Messiaen

Album - 100 Tracks - Released February 24, 2023