Marcel Dupré

Symphonie Passion Op. 23

French organist and composer, Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) is also remembered as a significant pedagogue. However, his prominence within the organ repertoire remains absolute with sublime works, including his Passion Symphony. Dupré studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Louis Vierne and Charles-Marie Widor, where he won prizes for piano, organ and fugue, as well as the Grand Prix de Rome. He was a famous organ virtuoso and was able to perform the entire works composed for the instrument by J. S. Bach from memory.

Dupré's Op. 23, the Passion Symphony for Organ is made up of four movements depicting the life of Christ - 1) The World awaiting the Saviour, 2) Nativity, 3) Crucifixion, and 4) Resurrection. All of the movements display a high degree of virtuosic technique and musical integrity. Dupré's compositions and didactic works remain important to organists today and his Passion Symphony is no exception.