Renowned for its interpretations of J. S. Bach and his improvisations, he was also regularly invited to participate in the inauguration of organs in Paris (e.g. in 1868, Notre-Dame de Paris), with Édouard Batiste, César Franck and Camille Saint-Saëns. A gifted and refined musician, he is considered one of the most brilliant composers for the organ with his friend César Franck who dedicated him his Fantaisie in C major for organ, Op. 16.
"In terms of the mechanism, Chauvet was an accomplished virtuoso; moreover, his personal way of understanding the text was that of a superior intelligence." - Henri Maréchal.
Works
Grand chœur en do
20 Morceaux pour orgue (1863), reissued in 1896 by Théodore Dubois under the title Vingt célèbres pièces pour orgue: Grand Chorus in C major - 2. Moderato in B flat major - 3. Andantino in E major - 4. Andante in F minor - 5. Largo and Fughetta in C major - 6. Andante con moto in B minor - 7. Grand Choir in E flat major - 8. Verse in D minor - 9. Andantino in G major - 10. Grand Chorus in G minor - 11. Andantino in D minor - 12. Grand Choir in E flat major - 13. Moderato in A major - 14. Verse in A major - 15. Office des morts en D minor - 16. Allegro moderato in B flat major - 17. Andantino in B minor - 18. Andante in C minor - 19. Verse in A minor - 20. Procession of the Blessed Sacrament (religious walk) in A major.
Museum of the Organist (1863): Return to procession, Offertory in G major, Offertory in D major, Elevation 1 in F major, Elevation 2 in D major, Offertory in A minor, Elevation or Communion in A major; Prelude in G minor; Prelude in C, Elevation or Communion in F major, Offertory in C major.
90 Petits Versets for organ or harmonium.
XV Études préparatoires aux œuvres de Bach for piano (1867).
9 Offertoires de caractères gradués pour l’Avent et le temps de Noël (1867): [without title], Li a proun de gént, Or dites-nous Marie, Noël cette journée, À la venue de Noël, Chantons de voix hautaine, Une bergère jolie, Vous qui désirez sans fin, Grâce soit rendue au Dieu de la sus.
20 Pieces for Organ (see list above), ed. François Sabatier and Nanon Bertrand, Publimuses PBM 18.94, 1994.
XV Preparatory studies for Bach's works, ed. F. Sabatier, Publimuses PBM 19.94, 1994.
9 Graduated character offertories for Advent and Christmas time; various Pieces: Museum of Religious Music (Procession Entry), Offertoire in G major, Offertoire en D major, Elévation n° 1 in F major, Elévation n° 2 in D major, Offertoire in A minor, Elévation ou Communion en la majeur, Prelude in G minor), La Petite Maîtrise (Prélude en C minor), L'Athénée musical (Elévation ou Communion in F major), Journal des organistes de Saint-Dié (Offertoire en C major); 90 small verses, ed. F. Sabatier and N. Bertrand, Publimuses 28.97, 1997.
Sources
François Sabatier. "Chauvet, Alexis." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. 21 Oct. 2010 [1].
