Henri Carol


Henri Carol was a French organist, improviser, chef de chœur, composer, and pipe organ teacher.

Career

Born in Montpellier, Carol was a student at the Enclos Saint-François in Montpellier where he had Emmanuel Berlhe as his harmony and organ teacher. He obtained a first prize in piano at the Conservatoire de Bordeaux. Ordained a priest in 1933, he became a professor at the minor seminary of Saint-Roch in Montpellier where he held the position of chapel master.
In January 1946, he was appointed Director of the master's degree at the Monaco Cathedral, succeeding Canon Aurat, until June 1971.
A complete musician, he was at the same time Kapellmeister, composer, conductor, musicologist and, for eleven years, professor at the Academy of Music Prince Rainier III Foundation of Monaco. He became titular organist of the great organ of Monaco Cathedral in 1968, succeeding Émile Bourdon.
In 1976, Carol published a precious little illustrated book on La Registration de l’orgue.
On the evening of Sunday, 23 September 1984, Carol died in a car accident in Montélimar. He was 74 years old.
After his death, his personal organ was installed in the Saint Reparata cathedral in Nice to serve in the choir.

Works

Carol wrote music for organ: Variations sur un vieux noël montpelliérain, Marche solennelle