Jean Titelouze

Jean (or Jehan) Titelouze was a French organist of the Baroque period. He was born, probably in 1563, in Saint-Omer, and died in Rouen on October 25 1633. He is generally considered the founder of the French organ school.

Jean (or Jehan) Titelouze was a French organist of the Baroque period. He was born, probably in 1563, in Saint-Omer, and died in Rouen on October 25 1633. He is generally considered the founder of the French organ school.

His father was a street musician. Titelouze came to Rouen at the age of 20, and he spent his whole life there. He became organist at Saint Jean church in 1585, then titular organist of the cathedral in 1588. This instrument was, at this time, one of the most brilliant ones in France, so we may assume that Titelouze, only 25 years old at the time, was a very good musician.