Yves Devernay

Grandes-Orgues of Notre-Dame de Paris

Yves Devernay (Tourcoing 9 May 1937 – Tourcoing 10 December 1990) was a 20th-century French organist, improviser and composer.

Biography

File:Concert du Club International (1963). Prospectus.jpg

Leaflet announcing the concert of the Club International with Yves Devernay

First a pupil of fr at the Roubaix conservatory, in 1958 he joined Rolande Falcinelli's class at the Conservatoire de Paris, after spending one year in the Lille Conservatory. Laureate of the Organ Prize in 1961, he also studied briefly with Marie-Claire Alain and won several international competitions, including the fr in 1971, tied with Daniel Roth.

A professor of organ at the conservatories of Roubaix and Valenciennes, he was also an organist virtuoso with a great technique combined with an undeniable talent for improvisation. Appointed in 1985 co-titular of the organs of Notre-Dame de Paris alongside Olivier Latry, Philippe Lefèbvre and Jean-Pierre Leguay, following Pierre Cochereau's death, He was also titular organist of the fr since 1965.

December 10, 2010, a plaque was affixed at the entrance of the cemetery of the town of Mouvaux, where he rests.

During 40 years, his uncle fr played the organ of the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church in Trouville-sur-Mer (Calvados) (1912 to 1952).

Works

• Several pieces for choir and organ
• 2 concertos for organ and orchestra
• Ballade for oboe and organ
• Dialogue for piano and organ

Bibliography

File:Affiche Concert M. Zaleska - Y. Devernay.jpg

Poster of the concert given with Yves Devernay's help, organised in Lille by le Club International.

• In Mémoriam Yves Devernay (1937-1990), 98 pages, published by his friends
• Étienne Delahaye, À Saint-Christophe de Tourcoing avec Yves Devernay. L'Orgue, n° 290, 2010 – II.
• Étienne Delahaye, Yves Devernay (1937-1990). La passion au bout des doigts. Orgues Nouvelles, n°.23, winter 2014

Discography

• Hommage à Yves Devernay - Inauguration du Grand Orgue de Notre-Dame de Paris 4 Decembre 1992. - CD Réf.: JM 003 - ADD

1. Improvisation "néo-classique" (sortie de vêpres 24 janvier 1988); 2. O. Messiaen (1908-1992): Transports de joie (sortie de messe 11 mars 1990); 3. Improvisation : paraphrase sur un thème de Nabucco de Verdi (private concert 31 March 1987); 4. F. Liszt (1811-1886): Prélude et fugue sur B.A.C.H. (sortie de messe 20 mars 1988). Production : Visual Communication.

• Yves Devernay aux grandes orgues de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris - CD Réf.: 16 214 Mitra Digital

C.-M. Widor : Allegro extrait de la Cinquième Symphonie; E. Devernay : Le Miracle de la Tempête; M. Duruflé : Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d’Alain; J. Guillou : Sinfonietta; J. Langlais : Nazard, extrait de la Suite française; M. Dupré : Variations sur un noël; E. Gigout : Toccata.

• Yves Devernay - Improvisations à Notre-Dame de Paris - CD Réf.: D2892 SM 63) Studio SM

Improvisations au cours d’offices (entrées, offertoires, communions, sorties, versets de vêpres)

External links

• Musica et Memoria Obituaires, Yves Devernay.
• Association des Amis des Orgues de Bruay-la-Buissière Détails biographiques et photos.
• Site de Notre-Dame de Paris Détails biographiques et photos.
• YouTube Yves Devernay improvise la sortie de Pâques 1989.

Preceded by Pierre Cochereau

Organist, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris 1985-1990 (appointed alongside Olivier Latry, Philippe Lefebvre and Jean-Pierre Leguay)

Succeeded by Olivier Latry, Philippe Lefebvre and Jean-Pierre Leguay