Nicolas Gigault

Nicolas Gigault (1627 – August 20, 1707) was a French Baroque organist and composer.

Little is known about Gigault's life. He was born in Clayes (a few miles East of Paris). Jean Titelouze probably one of his teachers. Gigault was titular organist of several Paris churches: Saint Honoré, Saint Martin des Champs and Saint Nicolas des Champs. He may have been one of Lully's teachers. He died in Paris in 1707.

Together with his colleagues Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers and Nicolas Lebègue, Gigault represents the first generation of organists who tried to move beyond the strict polyphonic tradition established by the likes of Titelouze, Raquet and Roberday, initiating a style that allowed for more dissonance. His published music includes around 180 keyboard (organ and/or harpsichord) pieces published in 1685 and several Noëls variés (i.e. transcriptions of popular Christmas carols, with variations) published in 1683.

See also

* French baroque organists

External links

*Listen to a prelude by Gigault