Gilles Cantagrel

Gilles Cantagrel (born 20 November 1937) is a French musicologist, writer, lecturer and music educator.
Biography.
Born in Paris, Cantagrel studied physics, art history and music at the École Normale de Musique de Paris and at the Conservatoire de Paris. He also practices organ and choral conducting. Since 1965, he has been focusing on journalism and communication and writes in magazines such as "Harmonie" and "Diapason".
He became a producer of radio programs in France and abroad and directed the programmes of France Musique between 1984 and 1987. Artistic advisor to the director of France Musique, he was vice-president of the musical commission of the European Broadcasting Union.
He is the author of a series of films on the history of the pipe organ in Europe (4 DVDs). A teacher, lecturer, and animator, he took part in 1985 in the creation of the classical music fair "Musicora".
He was president of the "Association des grandes orgues" of Chartres from 2003 to 2008. He is a director of institutions such as the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, and member of the Supervisory Board of the Bach Foundation in Leipzig.
In 2001, he was appointed member of the High Committee on National Commemorations by the Minister of Culture.
He has been a lecturer at the Paris-Sorbonne University, lecturer at the Conservatoire de Paris and at various conservatories and universities in France, Switzerland and Canada. He lectures in Europe in North America and participates in international competition juries.
He is chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, commandeur des Arts et Lettres, cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and holder of the golden distinction of the province of Vienna (Austria). In 2006, he was elected a correspondent of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.
A renowned expert of Leipzig's cantor and his time, he regularly participates in many festivals in France, Switzerland and Quebec.