Elégie Op. 180, 7. In memoriam W[illiam]. T[homas]. Best

This Pièce Funèbre is a noble Epitaph to the memory of a great Organist.

Eldest son of Léon Reuchsel, Amédée was born on March 21, 1875. He did his secondary studies at the Lycée Ampère in Lyon then followed a musical training at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, with the masters Dupont, Mailly and Tinel, where he obtained the first prizes for organ, harmony, counterpoint and composition. He also studied in Paris with Fauré.
Amédée Reuchsel returned to Lyon and was appointed titular organist of the Merklin organ at the Grand Temple, and organist at the Lycée Ampère chapel. In 1911, he left Lyon for Paris and was appointed titular of the Grand Orgue of Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement. He devoted himself to composition: pieces of imposing dimensions as well as three sonatas for great organ, an oratorio, a lyrical drama, a comic opera, a ballet, choirs, remarkable works of chamber music or for orchestra. He also published with Dupuis: Complete Theory of Music - Theory Questionnaire - Abridged Theory of Music - Classical and Modern Solfège - Music Duties.
Amédée Reuchsel died on July 10, 1931 in Montereau. From his marriage to Henriette Emilie Decaen he had a son, Eugène Reuchsel, who was to become a remarkable pianist and composer of organ music.