Maurice Lenormand
Maurice Lenormand was born on 25 January 1884 in Macon (France). His father was an organist himself and principal organist at the St.-Vincent cathedral in Macon. Maurice Lenormand received music lessons from an early age and after school enrolled at the Ecole Niedermeyer in Paris. There he studied under Eugene Gigout (organ), Charles-Wilfrid de Beriot (piano) and Henri Büsser (composition). Maurice Lenormand then moved to Lyon and completed his studies under Antoine Mariotte at the conservatory.
In 1906 Maurice Lenormand moved back to Macon and took over the position as the main organist of the St.-Vincent cathedral from his father. He fulfilled this position until his retirement in 1968. Over the years Maurice Lenormand gained the reputation as an excellent organist and teacher. For that reason Maurice Lenormand was invited to play the inauguration concert on several important organs after their restoration, namely those in Bourg-en-Bresse, Vonnas, Belleville-sur-Saone, Beaujeu and Tournus. As an organ and piano teacher Maurice Lenormand had hundreds of student over the years, for example Leopold Ashton and Jean Raffier.
But Maurcie Lenormand put his professional emphasis on his work as an organist at the St.-Vincent cathedral in Macon. For over 60 years he served the liturgy with his performances. For that reason the Vatican bestowed the title "Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great" on Maurice Lenormand in 1966.
As a composer Maurice Lenormand wrote several small compositions, mostly for organ, piano or songs. A few of these works were published by Leduc in the 1910s.
In 1968 Maurice Lenormand had an accident that ended his career as an organist. In 1971 the city of Macon awarded him the medal of honour for his lifetime achievements.
Maurice Lenormand died on 19 January 1981 in Macon (France).
In my possession is the autograph manuscript of the song "Les yeux clos" for soprano and piano by Maurice Lenormand. The work was composed on 27 July 1923 and sets a poem by Pierre Aguetant (1890-1940) to music.
