Gaston Dethier

• Name — Gaston Dethier • Born — 1875 • Birthplace — Antwerp, Belgium • Died — 1958 • Place of death — New York City • Known for — Gaston Dethier, organist, composer

• Illustration — Édouard Dethier (left) with his brother, Gaston Dethier (right) Born in Liège, Dethier was the son of organist Emile Jean Joseph Dethier (1849-1933), the brother of violinist Edouard Dethier, and the uncle of physiologist Vincent Dethier. He studied at the Royal Conservatory in his native city with Alexandre Guilmant. He was awarded premiers prix in organ, piano, harmony, and fugue from the conservatory. In 1886, at just 11 years of age, Dethier was appointed organist at the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur de Liège. He eventually left there to work in the same capacity at the Église Saint-Christophe de Liège.

In 1894, Dethier emigrated to the United States where he eventually became a naturalized citizen. He served as an organist at The Church of St. Francis Xavier from 1894 until 1907. After he left in 1907, the position was filled by Italian organist Pietro Yon who would eventually become organist at St. Patrick's Cathedral.