Achille Philip


Paul Camille Casimir Achille Philip was a French organist, composer, conductor and pedagogue. A prolific performer, he occupied numerous posts as titular organist at various important churches throughout France, and taught at the Schola Cantorum in Paris. Philip also co-founded the Quatuor français along with his first wife, Marthe Legrand.

Biography

Born in Arles, Provence on 12 October 1878, Philip entered the Conservatory of Marseille at the age of nine. There, he won first prizes for solfeggio in 1894, piano in 1896, and harmony in 1898. In October 1898, he entered the Conservatory of Paris to study organ with Alexandre Guilmant and composition with Charles Lenepveu. Philip won first prize in counterpoint and fugue in 1904.
From 1904 to 1913 Philip served as organist of the choir organ at La Madeleine in Paris. From 1904 to 1950 he was professor of organ and harmony at the Schola Cantorum.
Philip also held the position of titular organist at the following churches:
At Val-de-Grâce, Philip would conduct Johann Sebastian Bach's St. John and St. Matthew Passions in special concerts once a year. He would also conduct Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem at All Souls' Day services.
Philip premièred his opera Bacchus at the Théâtre des Arenes in Béziers on 3 August 1935. He soon moved permanently to Béziers, where he would be appointed titular organist of the Basilica of Saint Aphrodisius on 31 March 1957. He would hold this position until his death in the same city on 12 November 1959.
Philip was married to the singer Marthe Legrand, with whom he founded the "Quatuor français". Following her death, he married Louise Gant.

Selected compositions

Keyboard

Organ

Piano

Sacred music

Vocal

Tantum ergo in E-flat major Psaume CXVI for four-part mixed choir and two organs Tu es Petrus, for four mixed voices and two organs Diffusa est Trois Tantum ergo Notre Père qui êtes aux cieux, for baritone or mezzo-soprano and organ Ave verum, for four mixed voices with organ accompaniment ''ad libitum''

Chamber music

Orchestral

Au pays basque Les djinns Dans un parc enchanté Fantaisie pastorale
  • ''Nymphes et naïades''

Lyric theater

L'or du ''Menhir Bacchus''
Philip was also known to have composed about forty-five motets, three masses, and thirty mélodies.