Maurice Duruflé (1902 – 1986) was a French composer,
organist, and pedagogue.
Duruflé was born in Louviers, Eure. In 1912, he became
chorister at the Rouen Cathedral Choir School, where he
studied piano and organ with Jules Haelling. At age 17,
upon moving to Paris, he took private organ lessons
with Charles Tournemire, whom he assisted at Basilique
Ste-Clotilde, Paris until 1927. In 1920 Duruflé
entered the Conservatoire de Paris, eventually
graduating with first prizes in organ,...(+)
Maurice Duruflé (1902 – 1986) was a French composer,
organist, and pedagogue.
Duruflé was born in Louviers, Eure. In 1912, he became
chorister at the Rouen Cathedral Choir School, where he
studied piano and organ with Jules Haelling. At age 17,
upon moving to Paris, he took private organ lessons
with Charles Tournemire, whom he assisted at Basilique
Ste-Clotilde, Paris until 1927. In 1920 Duruflé
entered the Conservatoire de Paris, eventually
graduating with first prizes in organ, harmony, piano
accompaniment, and composition. His harmony professor
was Jean Gallon.
Ubi caritas is a hymn of the Western Church, long used
as one of the antiphons for the washing of feet on
Maundy Thursday. The Gregorian melody was composed
sometime between the fourth and tenth centuries, though
some scholars believe the text dates from early
Christian gatherings before the formalization of the
Mass. It is usually sung at Eucharistic Adoration and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and on Holy
Thursday evening at the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The
current Roman Catholic Missal (1970, 3rd typical
edition 2000) reassigned it from the foot-washing
mandatum to the offertory procession at the Holy
Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, and it also is
found in current Anglican and Lutheran hymnals.
Although originally created for chorus, I created this
arrangement for a Woodwind Ensemble (Flute, Oboe,
Clarinet, English Horn, French Horn, Bassoon and
Contrabassoon) to highlight the pure power and rich
bass of this piece