Choral (O Quam Suavis) (1959)

César Geoffray (1901–1972) — Choral (O Quam Suavis) (1959) for organ

French composer César Geoffray (1901–1972) was born in Lyon and grew up in North Africa (Casablanca). He was educated at the Lyon Conservatory with Augustin Savard and Florent Schmitt. After many years as director of various choirs, Geoffray became best known as the founder of the “À coeur joie” (“To your heart’s content”) choral movement in France, which he began in Lyon in 1947. The organization spread interest widely in choral music among young people through French-speaking countries and Spain. Geoffray was also co-founder (with Gottfried Wolters) of the European Federation of Youth Choirs and the “Europa Cantat” festival (founded in Passau in 1961). As a composer, Geoffray wrote primarily choral music, both numerous arrangements of folk music from around the world and original pieces. He produced the first French versions of numerous world folk styles (including African American spirituals.) In addition, Geoffray also wrote music for piano and organ, along with cantatas and theater pieces.

Published by Oxford University Press as "Two Pieces" (out-of-print)