(b Rheims, bap. 8 Sept 1672; d there, 30 Nov 1703). French composer. Organist of St Denis, Paris, and of Rheims Cathedral from c 1697 he published a volume of organ music (1699) consisting of nine groups of pieces, based on the Mass and hymns: each begins with a cantus firmus movement followed by a fugue and then duos, récits, dialogues etc Characterized by greater contrapuntal complexity and contrast of colour than most contemporary French organ music, as well as rich texture and expressive embellishment, the volume was copied by Bach.
The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved.