Biography
An exceptionally versatile musician, Paul Goussot has always tried to diversify his job as an artist by specializing at once in the organ, the harpsichord and in improvisation.
At the age of 23, he was appointed titular of the famous Dom Bedos organ at the ancient Abbey of St-Croix in Bordeaux. He has now succeeded Marie-Claire Alain, Susan Landale and François-Henri Houbart as an organ professor at the Rueil-Malmaison Conservatory.
Born in 1984 in Bordeaux, Paul Goussot’s organ playing career took off at the age of 16 when he entered the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris where he gained the first prizes in harpsichord, organ, harmony, counterpoint, fugue and forms, as well as the prizes of continuo, improvisation and two teaching diplomas that qualified him as professor of harpsichord and organ studies. During his studies, Paul Goussot won a scholarship of the Meyer Foundation and a scholarship of the Adami.
Prize winner of the international competitions of Bruges and St-Maurice d’Agaune (Switzerland), Paul Goussot successively wins first prize for improvisation at the international competition in Luxembourg, first prize for improvisation at the 26th international organ competition in St-Albans and, in 2012, first prize and the prize of the public at the 49th international improvisation competition in Haarlem.
Coming to his various successes, he is invited in prestigious European festivals : « Musique sacrée à Notre-Dame de Paris », Festival de la Roque d’Anthéron, Festival de Masevaux, Festival de Dudelange (Luxembourg), Magadino (Switzerland), Nuremberg (Germany), Bergamo (Italy), St-Albans (United Kingdom).
He performs with well-known artists such as the pianist Christian Ivaldi, the organist Olivier Latry, the violinist Marina Chiche or the comedian Benjamin Lazar.
In October 2009, Paul Goussot is appointed « First Young Artist in Residence in St-Louis Cathedral » in New-Orleans for six months. During that stay, he gives organ or harpsichord concerts in various towns in Louisiana as well as in Texas. He is given the opportunity to play the Organ Concerto by Poulenc with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
Paul Goussot’s improvisational skills plays an essential role in his artistic pursuits. His growing interest in silent movies leads him to accompany several screenings on a theater organ and on the piano in the « Musée d’Orsay » in Paris as well as in the French Film Institute, in particular « Fantômas » by Louis Feuillade, « La sorcellerie à travers les âges » by Benjamin Christensen, « La Légende de Gösta Berling » by Mauritz Stiller.
His improvisations on the film « La passion de Jeanne d’Arc » by Carl Dreyer, made him gain the prize of the best show in 2010, in New-Orleans.
Fond of Handel’s music, Paul Goussot recorded several Organ’s Concertos with the Ensemble Zaïs conduct by the young harpsichordist Benoît Babel. Edited by the label Paraty, this CD also presents “Pièces en concert” by Jean-Philippe Rameau, arranged for organ and orchestra by Paul Goussot.
Frequently invited as a teacher in France and abroad, Paul Goussot has recently been invited to teach a masterclasse in harspichord improvisation in the Paris Conservatory (CNSMDP).