Nicolas Gigault
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Nicolas Gigault (1627-August 20 1707) was a French organist and composer of the Baroque era; he was born in Clayes (a few miles East of Paris) and died in Paris.
Not many details are known about his life. He was titular organist of several Paris churches, namely Saint Honoré, Saint Martin des Champs, Saint Nicolas des Champs.
Together with his colleagues Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers and Nicolas-Antoine Lebègue he represents the first generation of organists who tried to move beyond the strict polyphonic tradition illustrated by Titelouze, Racquet, Roberday, initiating a style that allowed for more dissonance.
He wrote for the organ and/or the harpsichord several Noëls variés (i.e. popular Christmas carols transcribed for the instruments, with variations) and an important book containing 180 pieces published in 1685.
He may have been the teacher of Jean-Baptiste Lully.
External links
Listen to a prelude by Gigault (http://www.aristote.asso.fr/gui/Sons/gigaultprelude.wav)fr:Nicolas Gigault
