Séjan, Nicolas

views updated

Séjan, Nicolas

Séjan, Nicolas, French organist, teacher, and composer; b. Paris, March 19, 1745; d. there, March 16, 1819.

He studied organ with his uncle, Nicolas-Gilles Forqueray, and harmony and improvisation with Louis Charles Bordier. In 1760 he became organist at St.-André-des-Arts. In 1764 he made his first appearance at the Concert Spirituel, where he earned a reputation as a virtuoso. In 1773 he was named one of the 4 organists at Notre Dame Cathedral. He was also organist at the church of the Cordeliers (1773–76), St. Severin (from 1782), St. Sulpice (1783–91), and the royal chapel (1790–91); also was the first prof. of organ at the École Royale de Chant (from 1789). He lost all of his posts during the Revolution, but succeeded in preventing the destruction of the organs in his care, and assisted the church musicians during the Reign of Terror. He was prof. of organ at the Paris Cons. from its founding in 1795 until 1802; was made organist at the Dome des Invalides and at St. Sulpice in 1806, and also at the royal chapel in 1814. He pubi. 6 sonates for Harpsichord and Violin ad libitum (Paris, c. 1772; violin part not extant), Recueil de pièces for Harpsichord and Piano, dans le genre gracieus ou gay (Paris, 1784), and 3 sonatas for Harpsichord or Piano (Paris, 1784; Nos. 1 and 3 with Violin and Cello obbligato).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire