
Contributors

Thierry ESCAICH
Composer, organist and improviser Thierry Escaich is a unique figure in contemporary music and one of the most important French composers of his generation. The three elements of Escaich’s artistry are inseparable, allowing him to express himself as a virtuosic performer, interpreter and creator at the highest level.
Escaich composes works in many genres and forms, including opera, symphonic and chamber music. His catalogue numbers over 100 works which, with their lyrical, rich harmonies and rhythmic energy, have attracted a wide audience. Drawing from the French line of composition of Ravel, Messiaen and Dutilleux, and imbued with references from contemporary, jazz, popular and spiritual music, the distinctive sound-world of Escaich’s music is anchored by an obsessive rhythmic drive and compelling architecture. Escaich’s works are performed by leading orchestras in Europe and North America and by musicians such as Lisa Batiashvili, François Leleux, Andris Nelsons, Alain Altinoglu, Louis Langrée, Semyon Bychkov, Paavo Järvi, Alan Gilbert, Emmanuelle Bertrand and Paul Meyer.
Major works in Escaich’s catalogue include Chaconne for orchestra; oratorio Le Dernier Évangile; and a double concerto for violin and cello, Miroir d’ombres. His first opera Claude, on a libretto by Robert Badinter after Victor Hugo's Claude Gueux, was premiered at the Opéra de Lyon in March 2013 to great acclaim, soon followed by a second full-length opera, Shirine, premiered at the Opéra de Lyon in May 2022. His chamber opera, Point d’orgue, received its commissioned premieres by Opéra National de Bordeaux and Opéra Théâtre de Saint-Étienne in 2022. Recent new works include a Violin Concerto (Au-delà du rêve) for Renaud Capuçon premiered by the Munich Philharmonic, a Piano Concerto (Études symphoniques) for Seong-Jin Cho and the Czech Philharmonic, and a Cello Concerto (Les Chants de L’Aube) for Gautier Capuçon co-commissioned by Gewandhaus zu Leipzig and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Works for organ are an important feature of Escaich’s music and they are performed by organists around the world, including solo and chamber works, three concerti, and the symphonic poem La Barque solaire for organ and orchestra. Escaich’s Organ Concerto No.1 was selected as a highlight of the organ concerto repertoire in Gramophone: “His concerto exploits the full sonic and colour ranges of orchestra and organ in this thrilling three-movement work, the second movement rising to an awe-inspiring climax only topped by the shattering coda of the finale.” Escaich made his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic in 2022 and has also appeared as soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and Concerto Budapest. Escaich was Organist and Composer in Residence at the Dresdner Philharmonie in the 22/23 season.
Thierry Escaich is one of the ambassadors of the great French school of improvisation in the wake of Maurice Duruflé, whom he succeeded as organist of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris. He appears in recitals internationally, combining repertoire pieces with his own compositions and improvisations. His passion for cinema has led him to perform ‘ciné-concerts’, improvised accompaniments on both the organ and piano for silent films such as Phantom of the Opera and Metropolis.
During the 2024/25 season Escaich is Composer in Residence at the Frankfurt Radio Symphony for 2024-25, including the world premiere of a new work for big band and orchestra with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Frankfurt Radio Symphony conducted by Alain Altinoglu. The orchestra also performs his Cello Concerto, and he takes part in chamber music and improvisations with the orchestra. Another major highlight will be the world premiere in June 2025 of Te Deum, a work composed to mark the reopening of the Grand Organ of Notre-Dame Cathedral, performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony and conducted by Alain Altinoglu.
Also during 2024/25, the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse perform the world premiere of Escaich’s Towards the Light for choir and orchestra, a work after Gabriel Fauré to celebrate the centenary of his death. The piece receives its Paris premiere by the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Klaus Mäkelä, as part of season-long portrait of Escaich’s music, including the French premieres of Escaich’s Cello Concerto with Gautier Capuçon and his Double Concerto with Lisa Batiashvilli and Francois Leleux; Thierry Escaich will also perform chamber music with the Orchestre de Paris musicians, organ improvisations within their programmes, and a cine-concert as part of this wide-ranging portrait of his music at the Paris Philharmonie.
Elsewhere this season, Escaich will perform as concerto soloist with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Liege Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra in his own Organ Concerto No.3, followed by a recital and recording of improvisations.
Many of Escaich’s works have been recorded by Accord/Universal. His 2011 release Les Nuits hallucinées crowned his residency with the Orchestre National de Lyon and received numerous distinctions, including a ‘Choc de l’année’ from Classica magazine as an outstanding release of the year. The first production of Claude was released on DVD (BelAir Classiques). Other releases include Baroque Song on Sony Classical, Aria with Richard Galliano, Fusion with the Ellipsos Saxophone Quartet and Cris with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.
Escaich has been honoured by five ‘Victoires de la Musique’ awards (2003, 2006, 2011, 2017 and 2022) and continues to teach composition and improvisation at the Paris Conservatoire, where he himself studied and obtained eight ‘premiers prix’. In 2013 he received the honour of being appointed to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and in 2018 he took the prestigious role of Featured Composer at the Radio France Présences Festival. In 2024, Escaich was appointed titular organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris.
Creations & concerts
Works composed by Thierry ESCAICH
Works in the collections directed by Thierry ESCAICH
Discography
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2021
Radio France
Cris
LA PISTE DES CHANTS, pour chœur d'enfants et orchestre
Maîtrise de Radio France (chef de chœur : Sofi Jeannin) - Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France - Mikko Franck (direction)
VISIONS NOCTURNES, pour voix et ensemble instrumental
Isabelle Druet (mezzo-soprano) - Sanja Bisjak (piano) - Jessica Bessac (clarinette) - Quatuor Ellipse - Julien Masmondet (direction)
CRIS, pour récitant, chœur et ensemble instrumental
Laurent Gaudé (récitant) - Chœur de Radio France (chef de chœur : Martina Batic) - Trio K/D/M - Ensemble Nomos
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2017
Sony Classical
Baroque song
Paul Meyer (clarinette)
BAROQUE SONG, pour orchestre
CONCERTO POUR CLARINETTE, pour clarinette et orchestre
ERINNERUNG, pour orchestre à cordes
SUITE SYMPHONIQUE DE ”CLAUDE”, pour orchestre
Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Lyon - Paul Meyer (clarinette) - Alexandre Bloch (direction)
Enregistré à l'Opéra national de Lyon en juillet 2016
-
2016
Aeolus
Hymnes
Olivier Latry, Jean-Baptiste Robin, Benoît Mernier, Pierre Farago, Vincent Dubois
5 VERSETS SUR LE “VENI CREATOR”, pour grand orgue
Jean-Baptiste Robin (orgue)
EVOCATION IV, pour orgue
Vincent Dubois (orgue)
Ciel éternel
Jean-Baptiste Robin (orgue)
Flamboiement
Jean-Baptiste Robin (orgue)
Le temps qui danse
Jean-Baptiste Robin (orgue)
Au-delà
Jean-Baptiste Robin (orgue)
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2015
Indésens
Magic Circus
Eric Aubier (trompette) - Nicolas Prost (saxophone) - Thierry Escaich (orgue)
LE BAL, pour quatuor de saxophones
MECANIC SONG, pour quintette à vent et piano
LE CHANT DES TÉNÈBRES, pour saxophone et ensemble de saxophones
GROUND IV, pour quatuor de clarinettes
TANZ-FANTASIE, pour trompette et orgue
ANTIENNES OUBLIÉES, pour ensemble instrumental
MAGIC CIRCUS, pour octuor à vent
-
2015
Accord-Universal
Lettres Mêlées
Emmanuel Pahud (flûte) - François Leleux (hautbois) - Paul Meyer (clarinette)
SCÈNES D'ENFANTS AU CRÉPUSCULE, pour flûte, violoncelle et piano
LETTRE MÊLÉES, pour violon, violoncelle et piano
Emmanuel Pahud (flûte) - François Leleux (hautbois) - Paul Meyer (clarinette) - Trio Wanderer
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2015
BelAir classiques
Claude
Opéra en un acte de Thierry Escaich
Livret de Robert Badinter
Jean-Sébastien Bou (Claude), Jean-Philippe Lafont (le Directeur), Rodrigo Ferreira (Albin), Laurent Alvaro (l’Entrepreneur/le Surveillant général), Rémy Mathieu (le Premier Personnage/le Premier Surveillant), Philip Sheffield (le Second Personnage/le Second Surveillant), Loleh Pottier (la Petite Fille), Anaël Chevallier (la Voix en écho), Yannick Berne (Le Premier Détenu/Chœur), Paolo Stupenengo (le Deuxième Détenu/Chœur), Jean Vendassi (le Troisième Détenu/Chœur), David Sanchez Serra (l’Avocat), Didier Roussel (l’Avocat général), Brian Bruce (le Président)
Orchestre, Chœurs et Maîtrise de l’Opéra de Lyon
Alan Woodbridge (chef de chœur)
Jérémie Rhorer (direction)
Olivier Py (mise en scène)
Pierre-André Weitz (décors et costumes)
Bertrand Killy (lumières)
Laura Ruiz Tamayo (danseuse)
Daniel Izzo (chorégraphie)
Enregistré à l'Opéra national de Lyon en mars et avril 2013
DVD
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2011
Accord-Universal
Les Nuits hallucinées
Nora Gubisch (mezzo-soprano) - Thierry Escaich (orgue) - David Grimal (violon)
LES NUITS HALLUCINÉES, pour mezzo-soprano et orchestre
LA BARQUE SOLAIRE, pour orgue et orchestre
CONCERTO POUR VIOLON, pour violon et orchestre
Orchestre national de Lyon - Nora Gubisch (mezzo-soprano) - Thierry Escaich (orgue) - David Grimal (violon)
Jun Märkl (direction : 1 et 2), Christian Arming (direction : 3)
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2011
Indésens
A la seis de la tarde
Emmanuel Curt (percussions), Thierry Escaich (orgue)
Ground II
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2010
Regent Records
Tu es petrus
Antony Gowing (orgue)
Grande Messe solennelle
The Choir of Sheffield Cathedral, Antony Gowing (orgue), Neil Taylor (direction)
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2010
Indésens
Unlimited !
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2010
Aeolus
Deba
Concert inaugural de l’orgue Gerhard Grenzig de Deba (Espagne)
Avec la participation de José Ignacio Ansorena (txistu)
Enregistré le 5/09/2010, église Santa Maria la Real de Deba (Guipúzcoa, Espagne)
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2009
Orgelparkrecords
L'art de la transcription
Erwin Wiersinga, orgue
Poèmes (1er livre), pour orgue
”Vers l’espérance” et ”Eaux natales”
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2008
Indésens
Récital Romain Leleu
Romain Leleu
Tanz-Fantasie
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2008
Accord-Universal
Organ Spectacular
Thierry Escaich (orgue)
Orgues de Saint-Étienne-du-Mont (Paris), St. Ignatius Loyola (New York), Saint-Sernin (Toulouse), cathédrale d’Altenberg, Saint-Martin (Dudelange)…
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2007
Accord-Universal
Oeuvres orchestrales II
Renaud Capuçon (violon), Gautier Capuçon (violoncelle)
MIROIR D'OMBRES, pour violon, violoncelle et orchestre
VERTIGES DE LA CROIX, pour orchestre
CHACONNE, pour orchestre
Renaud Capuçon (violon), Gautier Capuçon (violoncelle) - Orchestre national de Lille
Paul Polivnik (direction : 1) - Michiyoshi Inoue (direction : 2) - Jean-Claude Casadesus (direction : 3)
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2006
Accord-Universal
Vêpres pour Sainte Marie Madeleine
Dixit Dominus
Choeur Arsys Bourgogne, dir. Pierre Cao – Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, dir. David Eben
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2004
Studio SM
Tu es Petrus
Denis Comtet (orgue de choeur)
Alléluia
Thierry Escaich, Denis Comtet (orgue de choeur), Le Madrigal de Paris, Pierre Calmelet (direction)
Kyrie (Grande Messe Solennelle)
Thierry Escaich, Le Madrigal De Paris, Vincent Dubois, Pierre Calmelet
Gloria (Grande Messe Solennelle)
Thierry Escaich, Le Madrigal De Paris, Vincent Dubois, Pierre Calmelet
Commentaire musical improvisé I
Thierry Escaich
Sanctus (Grande Messe Solennelle)
Thierry Escaich, Le Madrigal De Paris, Vincent Dubois, Pierre Calmelet
Commentaire musical improvisé II
Thierry Escaich
Agnus Dei (Grande Messe Solennelle)
Thierry Escaich, Le Madrigal De Paris, Denis Comtet, Pierre Calmelet
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2003
Accord-Universal
Chorus
Bertrand Chamayou, Claire-Marie Le Guay et Thierry Escaich (piano) - Xavier Phillips (violoncelle) - Florent Héau (clarinette)
LA RONDE, pour quatuor à cordes et piano
JEUX DE DOUBLES, pour piano
NOCTURNE, pour violoncelle et piano
CHORUS, pour clarinette, quatuor à cordes et piano
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2002
Calliope Records
Hommage à Maurice Duruflé
Thierry Escaich (orgue)
Commentaire improvisé I
Thierry Escaich
Commentaire improvisé II
Thierry Escaich
Commentaire improvisé III
Thierry Escaich
Commentaire improvisé IV
Thierry Escaich
Hommage à Jean Gallon
Maurice Duruflé, Thierry Escaich
Choral. Improvisation sur le Victimae Paschali
Maurice Duruflé, Thierry Escaich
In memoriam
Thierry Escaich
-
1996
Chamade
Le Chant des ténèbres
Claude Delangle (saxophone)
LE CHANT DES TÉNÈBRES, pour saxophone et ensemble de saxophones
ANTIENNES OUBLIÉES, pour ensemble instrumental
AD ULTIMAS LAUDES, pour chœur mixte