Alain was born in
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near
Paris, into a musical family. His father was the organist and composer
Albert Alain (1880–1971), as well as his elder brother
Jehan Alain (1911–1940), and his younger sister, French organist
Marie-Claire (1926–2013). He studied at the
Paris Conservatory, where he received first prizes in composition (1951, class of
Tony Aubin) and musical analysis (1950, class of
Olivier Messiaen).
In 1950, he became director of the conservatory in
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where he worked until 1964. From 1960-1974, he served as director of the
École César Franck in Paris, and in 1976 founded the Conservatoire National de Région in Paris, whose director he was until 1985, and where he taught classes in musical analysis and chamber music. His notable students include composers
Alain Gagnon.
Alain's catalog of musical compositions contains almost 170 compositions of various genres, most of which are still unpublished. He also published a book on harmony (Paris, 1965) and a monograph on
Johann Sebastian Bach (Paris, 1970). His comprehensive chronology and analysis of the life and complete works of J. S. Bach is still unpublished. His discovery of the 14 Canons on the first 8 fundamental notes of the aria from the Goldberg Variations (BWV 1087) in
Strasbourg in 1974 is often regarded as one of the greatest Bach-source finds of the 20th century.
Tristan op. 89. Ballet music in twelve scenes (1945, unpublished)
La Samaritaine op. 90. Stage Music in five scenes for Oboe, Harp and Strings (1945, unpublished)
Symphonie Argentière op. 124 for orchestra (1949, unpublished)
Chant funèbre pour les morts en montagne op. 133. Oratorio in twelve scenes for soloists, choir and orchestra (1950, unpublished)
L'Athlète aux mains nues op. 134. Music for a film by Daniel Rops (1950, unpublished)
Henri IV op. 142. Film music (1952, unpublished)
Fantaisies pour le CNR Nos. 1 et 2 op. 165 for various instruments (1977. Sampzon: Édition Delatour France)
Odoï op. 168 for orchestra (1983, unpublished)
Bibliography
Alain, Marie-Claire (2008): "Hommage à Olivier Alain." In Association Maurice & Marie-Madeleine Duruflé: Bulletin Nos. 7-8 (2007–2008): 99-101.
Alain, Olivier (1951): "L'œuvre pour piano de Jehan Alain." In Le Conservatoire 14 (January 1951): 59-62.
Alain, Olivier (1951): "Le Reqiem de Maurice Duruflé." In Le Conservatoire 14 (January 1951): 62-64.
Alain, Olivier (1956): "Maurice Duruflé, Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris." In Le Figaro, 1124 (December 1956).
Decourt, Aurélie (2008): "Olivier Alain: Un artiste déchiré entre ses passions." In Association Maurice & Marie-Madeleine Duruflé: Bulletin Nos. 7-8 (2007–2008): 106-111.
Guillard, Georges (2008): "Olivier Alain: Passeur et accoucheur de musiciens." In Association Maurice & Marie-Madeleine Duruflé: Bulletin Nos. 7-8 (2007–2008): 102-105.