About author : HOUBART François-Henri

« His tastes lean principally towards nordic music, romantic and symphonic repertoires” (Encyclopaedia of Performers). Born at Orléans on December 26 th 1952.

Musical studies: organ and improvisation with Pierre Cochereau, Michel Chapuis and Suzanne Chaisemartin; harmony and counterpoint with Pierre Lantier. Winner of the Lyon International Improvisation 2 Prize in 1978.

Soloist with Radio-France; he has taken part, equally, in many TV programmes.

In February 1979, he succeeded renowned musicians such as Saint-Saëns and Fauré to the post of organist of the freat organ of the Madeleine church in Paris.

Organ teacher at the Rueil-Malmaison Academy of Music since 2000.

Besides performing in numerous concerts and recitals, principally at large festivals, he has played in the USA, Japan, Canada, Russia… He appears regulary with orchestras and choirs, either as a soloist.

His repertoire extends from Renaissance music to contemporary music (several productions). With a considerable recording history (discographie) acclaimed unanimously by the critics, he was awarded “best compact-disc of the year” by the famous New York Times in 1987 (Widor-Viernes record). Author of a work on the organs of Orléans cathedral.