Maurice Durufle

Maurice Duruflé, born in 1902 Louviers, France, and obtained his musical education under the best composers and organists France had to offer, including Paul Dukas. His Requiem, Opus 9 is generally considered to be his greatest work. It is a lush work that utilizes full orchestra, choir, and organ and draws upon Gregorian melodies. In addition to winning prestigious composition awards throughout Europe and gaining tenure at the Paris Conservatoire, Durufle widely concertized on the organ until a car accident cut his performance career short in 1975. He passed in 1986.