CHRISTOPHE MANTOUX
Biography
Christophe Mantoux’s international career as a concert organist has taken him to more than twenty countries in Europe, North and South America, South Korea, and Japan. Such extensive concertizing has given him the rare opportunity to perform on many fine instruments from diverse traditions of organ building, thereby enriching his understanding of the organ and its music.
In 1984, Mr. Mantoux won the prestigious Grand Prix d’Interprétation (First Prize in Interpretation) at the Chartres International Organ Competition (Grand Prix de Chartres). Following that success, he served as Titular Organist of the Chartres Cathedral from 1986 to 1992, and he remains a member of the Artistic Committee of the Chartres International Organ Competition.
Born in 1961 in Paris, Mr. Mantoux completed his organ studies with Gaston Litaize at the Conservatoire National de Région of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. He later studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, where he won First Prizes in Harmony and Counterpoint.
Besides his active concert schedule and teaching, Mr. Mantoux is regularly invited to conduct masterclasses and workshops as well as to serve on juries for international organ competitions. He also leads organ tours in France for interested groups from the United States and other English-speaking countries.
Christophe Mantoux has contributed articles to numerous organ journals, most recently one in English to The American Organist (July 2008). He has recorded two CDs, one of which features the music of Guilain and Marchand, the other includes works of Jehan Alain recorded on the much celebrated Cavaillé-Coll organ in the Abbey Church of St. Ouen de Rouen (Motette 13651). This recording won the coveted “Grand Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros.” His recording of the works of Guilain and Marchand has recently been re-released for digital distribution and is available online at several distributors including musicme.com and other digital distributors. He recorded works of J. S. Bach in fall 2010 in the church of the Bouclier in Strasbourg, on a new organ built by Dominique Thomas in the Thuringian style after the instruments of Tobias Heinrich Gottfried Trost, to be released soon.
M. Mantoux is represented in the United States by Penny Lorenz, Artist Management.
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Reviews and Comments from Press and Presenters:
“Mr. Mantoux played compositions by Guilain, Alain, Widor
and Duruflé, and each was truly remarkable. His interpretation of the Guilain
was solid and well executed. The Alain compositions maintained a fluid clarity
that created a mystical environment not often heard in performances of Lament
or Litanies. The Widor was also excellent, fully exploiting the
resources of the organ. However, the most spellbinding of all the things he
played were the Duruflé Prelude and Fugue on Alain and the Suite pour
Orgue. For lack of a better phrase, they were perfect. It was easily the
best interpretation and most lightening accurate playing of it that I have ever
heard”
…… Brad Althoff, assistant producer for PIPEDREAMS, and associate organist
Church of St. Louis, King of France.
“Christophe Mantoux's concert was the singular most
exciting organ event to have happened here since the installation of the new
Casavant in April 1998. His playing was electrifying, and no one has handled the
instrument with as much skill (and we've had several other world-class organists
perform here.) He is a gracious guest who would be welcomed back again”
……Thom
Robertson, Organist/Director of Music, St. Louis, King of France.
"What a brilliant concert. It really was an enormous
pleasure to hear such wonderful, varied repertoire played with such skill and
elegance on our instruments. In addition, Christophe was a most charming
guest...I hope we will be able to re-engage him in the future"
…..Robert Huw
Morgan, Organist, Memorial Chapel, Stanford University
"The concert by Christophe
Mantoux was extremely fine! Indeed, it was one of the more memorable events we
have presented on our series. He is a brilliant musician and a true artist who
plays with passion and rare integrity"
…..Anne Utter, Christ Church, Westerly
RI
“(…) Christophe Mantoux
turned out to be a fine proponent of a long Parisian organ tradition. He played
a sizeable and demanding program (…) so well that one is left wondering where
the limits of his art lie. Experience and stylistic command created
convincing interpretations not liable to any critique. Mantoux did not aim to
overstop speed-limits or surprise with special effects, but spoke with the
weight of a great tradition. The first movement of Widor (…) maintained its
classical poise. The unisson passage of the ending was thrilling without
breaking out of the context. Also Franck (…) was pure music, not a
show-piece, rather like Brahms of organ music. (About Alain) Mantoux balanced well the rhythmic
idiosyncrasies with appropriate freedom. However, perhaps more than other French
organists, he pointed out the floating quality of the moment. (…)”
…..Veijo
Murtomäki, Helsingin Sonamant, Finland
“...the great French musician Christophe Mantoux at the organ (...) we had
the pleasure to hear Christophe Mantoux again (...) with the 5th Trio Sonata
of Bach and the 1st Suite of Clérambault : performing with brio the
luminous virtuosity of the second Allegro of the Sonate of Bach, he played the
central
Largo in a singing manner, with lyricism and limpidity. As for
his interpretation of Clérambault, it was purely dazzling, perfectly in the
spirit of this French "grand siècle" (...)”
…….LOUIS GARDE (LE DAUPHINE LIBERE, FRANCE)
MANTOUX, AMONG THE SUMMITS OF 1988:
Buenos Aires : un unhoped musical summit of the year with the concert of the
French organist Christophe Mantoux in the Basilique of the Santissimo
Sacramento (.)
In the first part, with the 1st movement of the 5th Symphony of Widor, and
the 2nd Choral of Franck, he showed an exceptional technic domination, and
the sensibility (for colours) of a master of instrumentation, as well as a
vitality which literaly brought the thought of composer to life again.(.)
Mantoux played a memorable version of " l'Ascension " of O. Messiaen (..)
which was like a revelation.(.)
Mantoux must come again to perform more recitals, and to give master-classes
for young Argentinian organists.(.) It is difficult to imagine that this
thin French was one of the great virtuoses of the year in Buenos Aires. But
he is.
........Napoleon Cabrera, CLARIN (ARGENTINA)
Christophe played
a totally brilliant recital, and everyone was thrilled. He was a big hit with
everyone.
…..Geoffrey Graham, All Souls Episcopal Church, San Diego Feb 2010
I was at M. Mantoux’s
concert Sunday afternoon and thought it was stunning. His playing had so
much to say and it held my interest from beginning to end – not to speak of his
amazing technical prowess.
..….Mel Butler, St
Mark’s Episcopal Church, Seattle, Feb 2010
Christophe was utterly fantastic last night!!!
He
got 2 well-deserved ovations from an extremely appreciative audience. Even the
most critical of Bay Area organists were wowed. I’ll be sending you a formal
appreciation letter soon—but have to let you know what a tremendous performance
he gave. His playing was immaculate, and he had the audience right in the palm
of his hand. As one parishioner put it, “This wasn’t an organ recital, it was a
spiritual experience.” I couldn’t agree with her more. Alas, the Sanctuary
wasn’t filled—in typical Bay Area fashion—but those who heard this musical
miracle were absolutely raving afterwards. His registrations were so carefully
chosen, and he enthralled the audience with the astounding power and colors of
the organ. He was gracious to a fault—even putting up so kindly with people’s
attempts to speak French. We parted closer friends than when he arrived, and
that, for me, is a true blessing.
…...Larry
Marietta, First Congregational Church, Berkeley, Feb 2010
[Christophe] was absolutely superb from start to finish.
Incredible virtuosity combined with the utmost in informed good taste plus a
true gift for expressive, poetic interpretation. And just the best pieces, too. Well, it
just doesn't get any better.
.….Bruce Stevens, Richmond VA, February 2010
Christophe Mantoux
played ..... on Sunday, February 28, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on the
Rosales organ. The Rosales organ played by Mantoux at St. Paul's is tonally
distinguished, making the most of the bad organ acoustics at St. Paul's. A superlative player like Mantoux adjusts his playing to match
the dead acoustics: compensating for the lack of sustained organ tone by
employing a legato attachment of sounds so that the deadness is covered by organ
tone, and perhaps holding those last chords a little longer. That is standard
procedure. What was not standard in Mantoux's recital was the consummate
musicianship that relayed exquisite beauty of some works and profound insights
to others. I came away with great appreciation for Mantoux's playing of the
Duruflé Toccata -- that brilliant last movement of the Suite that seems to
give-up at the midpoint and to end (several times) in a disconnected muddle.
Even Duruflé is said to have detested it. But, Mantoux found an interpretation
that really works well, and projected it to an appreciative audience that stood
in response. The Franck E-minor chorale sang perfectly. One great Dutch
performer refuses to record the Franck works until after his 60th birthday, when
he believes his maturity will enlighten the works further than his current,
stellar interpretation. Mantoux, age 48, need not wait -- it seems that his
poetic way with Franck could not be bettered. Indeed, one wishes for more than
the single, magnificent, commercial CD from Mantoux -- his reading of the Alain
works now available on the Motette label betters all others. A magisterial reading
of the first movement of the Widor Sixth Symphony left us awed and a little
wet-of-eye.
..…..William Van Pelt,
Richmond,
VA February
2010
Christophe’s playing was absolutely
stunning.
..….Christopher Martin, Richmond, VA 2/2010
The Parisian titular organist
holds a special — some would say even exalted — place in the hearts and
minds of organ fans. Indeed, few musicians are subjected to the depth of
training, not to mention the crucible of exams and competitions, which such
a musician endures to attain the post of, say, Organiste Titulaire at
the historic church of Saint-Séverin, where Christophe Mantoux presides. Add
to that the finicky tastes of Parisian organ aficionados, and it’s no wonder
that, when French players tour this country, they often play as if hiding
behind a fortress of technique, throwing out volleys of sound like
cannonballs and not particularly caring where they land. This was, fortunately, not
the case Friday when Mantoux offered his generous, expressive
interpretations of French repertoire on the fine Petty-Madden organ at
Berkeley’s First Congregational Church. In his opening number, Alexandre
Boëly’s Fantasy and Fugue in B-flat Major, he almost went out of his
way to overemphasize the downbeat of each measure....Throughout the piece (actually, throughout the entire
program), his registrations were balanced and lucid and his dynamic
adjustments smooth and deftly handled....
The next two pieces on the
program were particularly revealing, since they normally exemplify two
distinct compositional approaches from the same era. César Franck’s B-minor
Chorale is considered to be the apotheosis of his highly emotional and
expressive style, while the Allegro from Charles-Marie Widor’s Sixth
Symphony is one of the great technical showpieces in the repertoire. It was
no surprise that Mantoux’s approach to Franck’s work reflects a deep
connection to that composer. He never missed an opportunity to bring out the
score’s expressive quality. For instance, at the beginning of the middle
section, a high solo B underscored by two explosive chords, he held the note
just a tad longer than directed, exploiting the potential energy of the
moment, then released the note to continue its tortuous fall into the
harmonic depths. More surprising was his
interpretation of the Widor. He was more than up to the music’s technical
challenges, and brought a sense of sweep to the driving outer sections of
the piece while introducing an expressive, even argumentative, quality to
the developmental section. Yet this was an argument from an individual who
was willing to hear other points of view. At climactic moments of the piece,
the organ became almost vocal as he stretched the phrases to their maximum
tipping points. Still, when he needed it, ....the drive was
there. I have heard this piece played many times, and I have never heard it
played better.
Two short pieces by Jehan
Alain followed, the rarely heard Lamento and the popular Litanies.
In the former, Mantoux made use of the darker colors of the organ in a stark,
desolate manner, even as he ripped through the latter piece in typical
French fashion, though always pausing generously at the commas, as if to
give penitent petitioners a time to breathe and collect their thoughts
before the next round of prayers. The ending was ferocious in its intensity.
Mantoux closed with Maurice
Duruflé’s Suite, Op. 5. Of all his sparse compositional output, this is the
composer’s darkest music, and he was apparently never totally comfortable
with having written it, especially the final Toccata. Mantoux was not
apologetic in his interpretation, though, virtually calling up the demons
from the depths in the opening Prelude. The Sicilienne .... featured the organ’s wailing clarinet stop over a well-paced
accompaniment. This Toccata is a dance of
death that strikes fear into the hearts of players and audiences alike, not
just for the technical challenge but for the interpretive one, as well. So
many starts and stops occur in the piece’s final third that ....(t)he organist has to tread carefully and
provide a sense of momentum where it doesn’t really exist. Mantoux found the
right balance of expressivity where it was needed, yet he didn’t dwell
needlessly on the rests in between the final sections. At the end, he drove
the piece over the expected cliff, to thunderous applause. So, if technique is in the
service of interpretation, Christophe Mantoux is a shining example of this,
and he’ll have no trouble winning over converts to the French approach to
literature. He can even improvise, as he showed in his unannounced encore.
Wait, they teach that in France, don’t they?
.......John Karl
Hirten, The San Francisco Classical Voice February 2010
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