Émile Bernard (composer)

Émile Bernard (1843-1902) was a French composer and organist of the Romantic era. Born in Marseille, he received his musical education at the Paris Conservatoire, studying under figures like César Franck. While he did not achieve the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, Bernard was a respected and prolific composer.

His compositions encompassed a range of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, vocal pieces, and organ music. His works are characterized by a lyrical and expressive style, often influenced by the harmonic language of Franck and other late Romantic composers. He served as an organist at several churches in Paris, including Notre-Dame-des-Champs.

While his works are not frequently performed today, they provide a valuable insight into the French musical landscape of the late 19th century and demonstrate a mastery of compositional technique. His contributions to the organ repertoire, in particular, are noteworthy.