Jacques Berthier
Encyclopedia
Jacques Berthier was a French
composer of liturgical music
, best known for writing much of the music used at Taizé
.
, Burgundy; both of his parents were musicians - his father Paul
was the kapellmeister
and organist
at the Auxerre Cathedral
. Learning first from his parents, Berthier was trained in music at the César Franck School
in Paris
. While there, he was taught by, among others, Edward Souberbielle and Guy de Lioncourt
(whose daughter he married). In 1955 Berthier was first asked to compose music for the Taizé Community, which was then just a monastic
community of twenty brothers. Six years later he became organist at the Church of the Jesuits
in Paris, Saint-Ignace, where he worked until his death. In 1975, Berthier was again asked to compose for Taizé, this time for chants to be sung by the increasing numbers of young people coming to worship there. Over nearly twenty years, Berthier built up a body of church music that has been utilized around the world. He died at his home in Paris in 1994, and requested that none of his own music be used in his funeral at Saint-Sulpice
. His son is Vincent Berthier de Lioncourt
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
composer of liturgical music
Liturgical music
Liturgical music originated as a part of religious ceremony, and includes a number of traditions, both ancient and modern. Liturgical music is well known as a part of Catholic Mass, the Anglican Holy Communion service , the Lutheran Divine Service, the Orthodox liturgy and other Christian services...
, best known for writing much of the music used at Taizé
Taizé Community
The Taizé Community is an ecumenical monastic order in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. It is composed of about 100 brothers who come from Protestant, Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions. The brothers come from about 30 countries across the world. The monastic order has a strong...
.
Biography
Berthier was born in AuxerreAuxerre
Auxerre is a commune in the Bourgogne region in north-central France, between Paris and Dijon. It is the capital of the Yonne department.Auxerre's population today is about 45,000...
, Burgundy; both of his parents were musicians - his father Paul
Paul Berthier
Paul Berthier was the co-founder of Manécanterie des Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois in 1906. He wrote a doctoral thesis on the legal protection of composers which has long been authoritative and an essay on Jean-Philippe Rameau...
was the kapellmeister
Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots Kapelle and Meister . The words Kapelle and Meister derive from the Latin: capella and magister...
and organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
at the Auxerre Cathedral
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d'Auxerre
Auxerre Cathedral located in Auxerre, Burgundy, France, is known for its expansive stained glass windows.Most of the Burgundian Gothic cathedral was built between 1215 and 1233 above an 11th-century crypt...
. Learning first from his parents, Berthier was trained in music at the César Franck School
École César Franck
The École César-Franck was a music school founded in Paris in January 1935 by Guy de Lioncourt, Louis de Serres, Pierre de Bréville and Marcel Labey...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. While there, he was taught by, among others, Edward Souberbielle and Guy de Lioncourt
Guy de Lioncourt
Guy de Lioncourt was a French composer.- Life :He studied music at the Schola Cantorum de Paris under Léon Saint-Réquier , Amédée Gastoué , André Roussel , Vincent d'Indy , Charles Pineau , F...
(whose daughter he married). In 1955 Berthier was first asked to compose music for the Taizé Community, which was then just a monastic
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...
community of twenty brothers. Six years later he became organist at the Church of the Jesuits
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in Paris, Saint-Ignace, where he worked until his death. In 1975, Berthier was again asked to compose for Taizé, this time for chants to be sung by the increasing numbers of young people coming to worship there. Over nearly twenty years, Berthier built up a body of church music that has been utilized around the world. He died at his home in Paris in 1994, and requested that none of his own music be used in his funeral at Saint-Sulpice
Saint-Sulpice (Paris)
Saint-Sulpice is a Roman Catholic church in Paris, France, on the east side of the Place Saint-Sulpice, in the Luxembourg Quarter of the VIe arrondissement. At 113 metres long, 58 metres in width and 34 metres tall, it is only slightly smaller than Notre-Dame and thus the second largest church in...
. His son is Vincent Berthier de Lioncourt
Vincent Berthier de Lioncourt
Vincent Berthier de Lioncourt is a French composer and musician and, with Philippe Beaussant, co-founder of the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles.He directed Ensemble Vocal de Neuilly, from 1969 to 1976. He is president of Musique en Morvan...
.
External links
- Jacques Berthier at GIA Publications
- The Taizé Composers
- Prayer and Song at Taizé
- Alleluia CD with track samples. Live at St. Paul's Cathedral, London (1987)
- Jubilate CD with track samples. Using twenty languages, this recording reflects what Taizé is today.
- Wait for the Lord CD with track samples. This is the first American recording of the music of Taizé.