Pierre Villette composed approximately 80 works during his career, including orchestral, chamber, and choral pieces. Although he studied with Pierre Boulez at the Paris Conservatoire, he pursued his own compositional path, far removed from the avant-garde. His musical influences ranged from Gregorian chant to the soundscapes of Poulenc and Messiaen. Drawing inspiration from Fauré, Debussy, and Stravinsky, Villette developed a distinctive musical language that blended spiritual and sensual elements.
Born into a family of music lovers, Villette received an early musical education in Normandy in 1926. His father, Henri, not only ran a carpentry workshop but was also a versatile musician and composer who nurtured his son's musical inclinations. At the age of six, Pierre began singing in a choir, gaining diverse musical experiences. Despite interruptions caused by the war, he continued his musical journey, creating significant pieces such as Ave verum and Salve Regina, which impress with their sophisticated harmonic structures.
In 1957, Villette assumed the directorship of the Besançon Conservatory, where he combined teaching and composition. Works such as O sacrum convivium show clear influences from Messiaen, whom he admired, while other motets, like Tu es Petrus, were created for festive occasions. Villette's artistic career encompassed diverse styles and compositions, from sacred music to internationally performed works, which brought increasing recognition to his output.
Despite international success, the response in his native France remained muted. His melodic and accessible music is appreciated by choirs and audiences worldwide, but received little attention from French ensembles. Nevertheless, Villette was pleased that his works were valued abroad and were even performed at the prestigious Nine Lessons and Carols festival in Cambridge. His widow, Josette, laments the lack of recognition in France but is convinced that her husband looks back on his artistic legacy with pride.