Albert Renaud (organist)

Albert Renaud (6 July 1851 – 28 May 1924) was a French organist and composer who served for many years as organist at the parish church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris.

This article is about the organist Albert Renaud. He is not to be confused with Albert Renaud.

Life and career

Born in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, Renaud studied at the Conservatoire de Paris under César Franck, Camille Saint-Saens, Charles Gounod and Jules Massenet and began his career by succeeding his father as choirmaster of the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris.

After a spell as organist at Rennes Cathedral, he returned to Paris in 1878 as organist of the Church of Saint-François-Xavier. In 1891 he became organist at the parish church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, serving until his death. His successor was Albert Alain, father of organists Jehan, Olivier and Marie-Claire Alain.

Compositions

Renaud's best known work is his Toccata in D minor (Op. 108, No. 1), which he dedicated to Alexandre Guilmant. Guilmant played it during a recital at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904.

Awards

Renaud was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1905, having been sponsored by Jules Massenet.

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