Yves Devernay

Yves Marie-Édouard Devernay (9 May 1937 – 10 December 1990) was a French organist, improviser and composer. He served as co-titular organist at Notre-Dame de Paris from 1984 to 1990 and was also acclaimed for a career of recitals.

Biography

A native of Tourcoing in Northern France, Yves Marie-Édouard Devernay was born on 9 May 1937 ino a Catholic family. He was the nephew of organist and composer Édouard Devernay (the organist of the Our Lady of Victories Church in Trouville-sur-Mer): his father, too, was an organist himself. These influences allowed the young Devernay to immerse himself in a musical household.

Following organ studies with Jeanne Joulain at the Roubaix conservatoire and a year studying in the Conservatoire de Lille, he joined Rolande Falcinelli's class at the Conservatoire de Paris in 1958. He won first prize in the organ class for 1961. Devernay also studied briefly with Marie-Claire Alain and won several international competitions, including the in 1971, tied with Daniel Roth.

Devernay held the titular organist post at in his hometown from 1965 until his death. He would also be hired as professor of organ at the conservatories of Roubaix and Valenciennes.

Often acclaimed by critics, Devernay was renowned for his virtuosic technique, which was coupled with his talent for improvisation and musical intuition: he studied numerous styles (from Renaissance to jazz) and inspected numerous scores to imbibe their characters. He frequently practised the organ and piano to hone his talent, even doing so amidst quotidian affairs (such as reading a newspaper or sipping coffee).

Recognised for his reputation, he was appointed as one of four co-titular organists of the grand organ of Notre-Dame de Paris (alongside Olivier Latry, Philippe Lefèbvre, and Jean-Pierre Leguay) following the death of Pierre Cochereau. This skyrocketed his reputation; he performed numerous recitals across Europe.

Like his predecessor Cochereau, Devernay was an alcoholic and frequent smoker, but was also known for his optimistic extraversion, sense of humour, and congeniality - aiming to enliven as many people as possible by spreading music as a gift.

He died of a heart attack on 10 December 1990 in his hometown. On 10 December 2010, twentieth anniversary of his death, a plaque was affixed at the gates of Mouvaux Cemetery, where he rests. thumb Works Several pieces for choir and organ 2 concertos for organ and orchestra Ballade for oboe and organ Dialogue for piano and organ