Pierre Cochereau
1924-1984
Cochereau was a French organist notable for his improvisations. Much of his career was spent at the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. If that is not enough to impress, you are a tough cookie.
I put Cochereau as a composer, even though most of the recordings of his music come from his improvisation performances. Many have transcribed his improvisations from his recordings, and so, I guess in a sense, they are his compositions.
And of course, Cochereau lived at a time when his own performances could be recorded, but I haven't found many of them in ear-friendly fidelity.
Recordings and reviews currently on hand (Click below to visit):
