Organ improvisation

Philippe Lefebvre

Philippe Lefebvre discovered the organ at the age of 15 at the tribune of Notre-Dame de Paris where he met the famous organist Pierre Cochereau. After studying at the Conservatory of Lille, he entered the CNSMD de Paris, where he obtained first prize for organ, improvisation, fugue and counterpoint. In 1973, he won the grand prize for improvisation at the international competition in Chartres and then became the titular organist of this prestigious cathedral. From then on, his career took him all over the world, where he was a guest at major festivals, both as a soloist and in an orchestra. He regularly gives concerts and master-classes in Europe, the United States, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe and makes numerous recordings. In 1985, he was appointed titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris where, with Olivier Latry and Jean-Pierre Leguay, he succeeded his master Pierre Cocherau. He was then appointed director of the Maîtrise of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral and for several years he has been professor of improvisation at the CNSMD in Paris.

Since 2007, Philippe Lefebvre, while being titular organist of the Cathedral, has acted as the Director General of Services at Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. He is considered to be one of the most representative performers and improvisers of French art.