Demessieux, Jeanne

(b Montpellier, 1921; d Paris, 1968). Fr. organist and composer. Org., Saint-Esprit, Paris, from age 12. First recital Paris 1946, London 1947, Edinburgh 1948, Salzburg Fest. 1949; Amer. début 1953. Won praise for remarkable powers of improvisation. Prof., Liège Cons., 1952. Org., Madeleine, from 1962. First woman invited to play in Westminster Cath. and Westminster Abbey. Played at inaugural ceremony Liverpool Metropolitan Cath., 1967.

From The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music in Oxford Reference.