About author : DEMESSIEUX Jeanne

Jeanne Demessieux was the first internationally acclaimed woman organ virtuoso. Despite her tragically premature death at the age of 47, her fame lives on today as a legend to all. Jeanne Demessieux performed concerts throughout Europe and North America attracting the highest acclaim everywhere. Indeed she was the first woman organist to play recitals in many cathedrals and concert halls, including Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.

She became distinguished teacher and after an early appointment at the Conservatoire of Nancy she was appointed Professor of Organ & Improvisation at the Conservatoire of Liège, in Belgium, in 1952.

Having served at Saint-Esprit for 28 years, she was appointed Organist of the Madeleine in 1962.

She made several recordings for DECCA (London) at the Victoria Hall in Geneva and at the Madeleine: many of these, including a famous cycle of the works of Franck, have recently been reissued by FESTIVO.