Léon Boëllmann

Suite Gothique

Léon Boëllmann (1862 -1897) was a French composer, born in Ensisheim, Haut-Rhin, Alsace. During the sixteen years of his professional life, Boëllmann composed about 160 pieces in all genres, faithful to the style of Franck and an admirer of Saint-Saëns.
His best-known composition is 'Suite Gothique' (1895), now a staple of the organ repertoire, especially its concluding Toccata, a piece 'of moderate difficulty but brilliant effect', with a dramatic minor theme and a rhythmic emphasis that made it popular even in Boëllmann's day.
Dutch arranger Rens van Leeuwen transcribed the 'Suite Gothique' for a Symphonic Band.