Marcel Godard

Marcel Joseph Godard was born on 2 March 1920 in Saint-Didier-sur-Chalaronne (France). He studied music at the conservatory in Paris under Edouard Souberbielle (organ), Simone Ple-Caussade (counterpoint, fugue) and then became priest in the diocese of Lyon. In 1958 Marcel Godard was appointed choir master of the Lyon Cathedral, a position he held until his retirement. From 1972 to 1978 Marcel Godard was also the head of the French Association for Sacred Music and beyond that director of the Institute for Sacred Music in Lyon.
Marcel Godard died on 16 February 2007 in Lyon (France).

As a composer Marcel Godard put an emphasis completely on sacred music. His work catalogue includes around 150 compositions, among them several masses, a passion, a cantata, several hymns and alleluias as well as dozens of works for voice, choir and organ.

In my possession are two autograph manuscript by Marcel Godard: The composition "Cathedrale" for baritone and piano on a text by Jean Vuaillat. The work was composed in 1991 and remains unpublished so far.

The other work is titled "Evangile selon Saint Luc" and is scored for choir. The work was composed in 2000 and is also unpublished so far.