Full Description
The authoritative biography of the world-renowned French organist, composer, and teacher Daniel Roth, told in his own words through lively, wide-ranging interviews.
Pierre-François Dub-Attenti and Christophe Zerbini† here offer a fascinating and detailed biography of Daniel Roth, a universally respected and admired organist, composer, and teacher. The authors chose the interview format in order to help readers gain a fuller sense of this remarkable and influential musician and to allow him to give voice to his thoughts about the art to which he has devoted his life.
This book traces Daniel Roth's personal and professional journey: from Alsace to the Paris Conservatory, the Sacré-Cœur basilica, where he was titular organist for 12 years, and finally Saint-Sulpice, where he served for no fewer than 18 years. Roth's explanations help make clear his contributions as a liturgical organist, his rich thoughts on improvisation and transcription, and his lifelong commitment to preserving historic instruments.
Through these interviews, as in his recordings and live performances, Daniel Roth reveals himself as most fundamentally a musician, not "just" an organist. In his view, the performer must always strive to make the organ, this complex mechanical instrument, sing.
Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface by Pierre-François Dub-Attenti
Acknowledgements
1 L'Alsace (1942-59)
2 The Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris (1959-70)
3 The Years of Maturation and the Competitions (1964-71)
4 The Years at Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (1963-85)
5 The Years at Saint-Sulpice (1985-)
6 The Restoration of Historic Instruments
Appendixes
1 List of Organs for Which Daniel Roth Has Provided Reports to the Commission of Historical Monuments (Non-exhaustive List)
2 Compositions and Transcriptions by Daniel Roth
3 Recordings by Daniel Roth
Bibliography
Supplemental Bibliography
Index
