A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Guilmant, Felix

GUILMANT, Felix Alexandre, son of an organist of Boulogne, and born there March 12, 1837. He took to the organ at an early age, and before he was sixteen was made organist of S. Joseph, in 1857 Maître de Chapelle of S. Nicolas, and shortly after professor of solfeggio in the local Ecole communale. In 1860 he became for some months a pupil of Lemmens, who heard him play and was struck by his ability. In 1871 he removed from Boulogne to Paris, and was appointed organist of the church of the Trinity, a post which he still fills. He is one of the leading organ players of France, and has considerable extempore power. For his instrument he has published a sonata and two collections of arrangements—'Pièces de différents styles,' and 'L'Organiste pratique'; also various masses, motets, and airs, arrangements and original pieces for the harmonium. Guilmant is no stranger to England, having played at the Crystal Palace, at Sheffield, and elsewhere.

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