Joseph Gilles (1903-1942)

Considering the quality of his Organ Symphony in E major, very little indeed is known of the French composer Joseph Gilles, who died in 1942 at the age of 39. We know he was born in 1903, and was a pupil of Marcel Dupré, to whom the Symphony is dedicated, and was organist at a church on the Avenue Georges V. The Symphony, composed in 1937 and published a few years later, remains Gilles' only published composition. The details of his death are unclear, but he may have fallen victim to the Nazi invasion of France, as did Jehan Alain. The fate of Gilles' other music, for he clearly composed other works, is equally uncertain.

Joseph Gilles on Guild Music

• GMCD 7136 Master Works II - French Music for Organ & Orchestra

Page revised 09.09.2000