Today we remember two famous French composers, both organists, who came to dramatic ends in the month of June. On June 2nd, 1937, while playing his 1,750th recital at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, Louis Vierne suffered a sudden and fatal stroke, dying in the organ loft in the presence of one of his most promising pupils, Maurice Duruflé.

Vierne was born nearly blind, but his exceptional musical ability eventually led to studies with the two greatest French organ composers of the 19th century, César Franck and Charles-Marie Widor. The piece that the 66-year-old Vierne was playing when he collapsed at Notre-Dame had the morbidly apt title “Memorial for a Dead Child.”

Three years later, on June 20, 1940, another talented French organist and composer, Jehan Alain, was killed in action during the Second World War.

Alain’s compositions were considered experimental in both rhythm and modes. Even so, he had just won the French Premier Prix for organ in 1939 when the War broke out, and he was called up for active service. Following the Battle of Saumur, Jehan Alain’s body was found by the roadside, with some of his music manuscripts scattered in the wind.

Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937) — Carillon de Longpont (Richard Proulx, organ) Sacred Heart 101

Jehan Alain (1911 - 1940) — Litanies (Carlo Curley, organ) Argo 430 200