Marius Gueit (1808 † 1864), blind form birth, was first the organist of the church of Saint-Paterne in Orléans, then of Saint-Denis du Saint-Sacrement in Paris. He was also cellist and teacher at the Young Blind Institute. He wrote vocal music and keybord pieces (piano, harmonium, organ) among which these noteworthy Six Offertories, a perfect testimony ot the art of French organ at the middle of XIXth century.
The organ of Saint-Denis, which these pieces were designed for, was build by Daublaine & Callinet two years before Cavaillé-Coll’s first large instrument in the basilica with the same name, and already showed elements of the future : large Swell with fifty-four keys in a Swell-box, stops with harmonium-type reeds, Gambas 8’ and 4’, Vox humana in Swell... Gueit’s music, serious but pleasant, allows to take advantage of these new features.
First modern edition, including a foreword about Gueit’s life, his various organs, etc, and complete critical notes at the end of the book.