Pierre Pincemaille died on January 12, 2018 at the age of 61. He suffered from lung cancer. He has been organist in Saint-Denis in Paris for 30 years.
He was best known as a phenomenal improviser. He recorded 8 CD’s with only improvisations. Furthermore he made recordings of 19th and early 20th century French organ music (Franck, Widor, Duruflé, Vierne, the early work of Messiaen…)
His improvisation style reminds us of Pierre Cochereau, which he considered as his spiritual father, although he never took a course with him.
He was a virtuoso and knew the secret of original and sometimes highly unexpected registrations. In Saint-Denis, the other splendid gothic cathedral in Paris, he wanted to recreate the atmosphere which reigned in Notre-Dame Cathedral during the Cochereau era. Just watch a few Youtube videos to convince yourself.
He always refused to teach improvisation as he preferred to learn it by listening to others.
His death is another major loss for the organ world in particular and for music in general.