Souvenir Op 24 (1933)

Born: 26 November 1896 in Lachine, near Montreal.
Died: 4 March 1958, Montreal, Canada.
Parents: Joseph Adélard Descarries
Children: Francine Descarries

I wanted us to remeber this significant Canadian composer who played the organ throughout his life but maybe left one piece for solo organ, the fairly difficult Melodie 1921. (Music attached below) Any takers.

At 11 began playing the organ in the Gesù Church. After studying law, he decided on a musical career and succeeded Alexis Contant as organist of St-Jean-Baptiste Church.

In 1923, assisted by a special scholarship in composition from the AMQ, he attended the interpretation classes of Alfred Cortot and Marcel Dupré at the École normale.

After giving a series of six well-received Paris recitals in 1929, Descarries returned to Montreal in 1930 and presented several recitals there. He also undertook numerous other assignments, serving as organist-choirmaster.

Descarries founded (and directed 1933-5) the Société de musique de chambre Euterpe, served 1938-41 as president of the AMQ, and was a vice-president of the Commission diocésaine de chant liturgique He gave series of lectures at his studio, and wrote articles for Le Devoir, La Lyre, La Presse, and other publications. In 1945 he founded the Entraide de l'École Auguste-Descarries, which for 10 years assisted in establishing careers for his most gifted pupils. He gave a farewell recital at Plateau Hall in 1956.

Descarries gained recognition as a composer with his Rhapsodie canadienne for piano and orchestra. He also wrote a Petite Symphonie, a string Octet, numerous works for piano including a Toccata a Sonata, a Magnificat, some masses for mixed choir and some art songs. He also left numerous harmonizations of carols and Canadian folksongs, and some church music. Classical in form and romantic in content, his works did not establish themselves.
More here;
http://www.scena.org/lsm/sm19-2/sm19-2_descarries_en.html
https://www.associationaugustedescarries.com