Jean-Baptiste Dupont plays Widor: Symphony No. 8 Jean-Baptiste Dupont

• 1 Charles-Marie Wido: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42/4 (1929 Version): I. Allegro Risoluto 08:04
• 2 Charles-Marie Wido: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42/4 (1929 Version): II. Moderato Cantabile 05:16
• 3 Charles-Marie Wido: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42/4 (1929 Version): III. Allegro 04:20
• 4 Charles-Marie Wido: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42/4 (1929 Version): IV. Variations 10:52
• 5 Charles-Marie Wido: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42/4 (1929 Version): V. Adagio 07:04
• 6 Charles-Marie Wido: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42/4 (1929 Version): VI. Finale 06:25
• 7 Joseph Guy Ropartz: 6 Pièces pour grand Orgue: II. Prière 05:21
• 8 Camille Saint-Saëns: Cyprès et lauriers in D Minor, Op. 156: I. Cyprès 07:12
• 9 Charles-Marie Widor: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42/4 (1885 Version): IV. Prélude 03:13
• Total Runtime 57:47

Info for Jean-Baptiste Dupont plays Widor: Symphony No. 8

The most complex work by Widor within the sound-world of a Cavaillé-Coll organ, played by one of today’s most eminent organists: a resounding commitment to the French tradition.

Jean-Baptiste Dupont is one of the most renowned organists of our time. His artistic prowess is reflected in his success at international competitions as well as his performing career across the globe.

Trained in the French organ tradition, both in interpretation and improvisation, his new recording of Widor's 8th Organ Symphony combines this tradition with the sound-world of a Cavaillé-Coll organ: the instrument at Saint-Sernin (Toulouse) seems to be custom-made for the most complex work by Widor who confessed that without the experience of listening to the Cavaillé-Coll instruments he would not have written any organ music.

Jean-Baptiste Dupont is deeply rooted in the heritage of the French music tradition. His extensive expertise as an improviser leads to a particular state of consciousness within music: when interpreting repertoire works, he grasps and analyses the creative structures of the work on a deep level; in the moment of the performance, he experiences them like an improviser - the creative process of the composer becomes his own when he plays.

You are invited to listen to one of the most famous French organ works, played on a French organ by a French organist - a resounding commitment to the French tradition!

Jean-Baptiste Dupont, organ

Jean-Baptiste Dupont
enjoys a musician international career. He performed more than 500 recitals in most of the European countries, in the USA and in Russia, in prestigious venues (Cathedrals from Paris, New-York, Berlin, London, Köln, Copenhague, Mariinsky concert hall, Bolchoï Theatre, etc...). He has a broad repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the present days, including many transcriptions. Jean-Baptiste Dupont has been hailed as one of the greatest young improvisers on the organ. He is a frequent guest performer at international festivals, radios, etc. As a specialist of improvisation, he’s regularly invited to give Masterclasses and Workshops on that field. He has been a Jury member in competitions in France, USA and Germany.

Born in 1979, Jean-Baptiste Dupont began his musical studies at the piano. He discovered the organ later, at the age of 12, and began organ studies at the Institute of Sacred Music of Toulouse. He graduated with distinction from the organ department at the Conservatoire in Toulouse. As one of the top alumni of the Conservatoire, he was awarded the Francis Vidal prize by the city of Toulouse in 2006 and subsequently continued his studies at the Centre d’Etudes Supérieures de Musique et Danse in Toulouse where he obtained performing and teaching diplomas. Jean-Baptiste Dupont’s organ, improvisation, harpsichord and piano teachers included Michel Bouvard, Louis Robilliard, Philippe Lefebvre, Jan Willem Jansen and Thérèse Dussaut.

He was finalist and laureate in many organ competitions, both in interpretation and improvisation. He won the 1st prize (improvisation) in St-Albans international competition in July 2009 ; the 2nd prize, audience prize, Glinka and De Boni Arte foundations prizes in "Mikael Tariverdiev" competition in Kaliningrad, Russia, 2009 ; and the 3rd prize in “Xavier Darasse” international competition (Toulouse, France) in October 2008.

Latest releases include Widor symphonie n°8 for the label Audite. His work on Max Reger’s complete organ works have been acclaimed by international press and gained an international recognition, and subsequently, Jean-Baptiste Dupont was invited in several symposium and international events about the composer.

Jean-Baptiste Dupont was appointed organist at Bordeaux Cathedral after a competition which took place in April 2012. He was founder and artistic director of Cathedra (sacred music at Bordeaux Cathedral) from 2014 to 2019, and speaks up for the rebuilding of the cathedral organ.

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