The French organist and composer Maurice Duruflé was a pupil of Tournemire and Gigout and enjoyed a career as an organist both in Paris and in numerous concert tours abroad, a representative of the French tradition of organ playing and composition inherited from his teachers, and from the example of Guilmant and Vierne.
Organ Music
Duruflé’s organ music includes a Prélude, adagio and choral varié on Veni Creator Spiritus, a Suite, and a Prelude and Fugue in memory of the composer and organist Jehan Alain, who had been killed in action in 1940.
Church Music
Duruflé’s best-known work is his Requiem, music firmly founded on Gregorian chant in its melodic material and treatment of the liturgical text. He also left a number of motets and a Mass setting.