Pierre de Bréville

Pierre Onfroy de Bréville (February 21 1861 – September 24 1949), was a French composer.

Biography

Pierre de Bréville was born was born in Bar-le-Duc Meuse. Following the wishes of his parents, he studied law with the goal of becoming a diplomat. However, he abandoned his plans after a few years and entered the Conservatoire de Paris. He began his musical studies with Théodore Dubois (1880-1882), later taking courses under the direction of César Franck.

He became a professor, teaching counterpoint at the Schola Cantorum in Paris (1898-1902). Following a twelve year break, he taught classes in chamber music composition at the Conservatoire de Paris (1914-1918).

He established himself as a music critic and became well-known for his reviews and commentary in "Mercure de France", "Le Courrier musical" and "La Revue blanche". He died in Paris.

Although de Bréville was not prolific, he lavished attention of his own compositions, producing several highly original works remembered for their quality. He also completed the orchestration of César Franck's unfinished opera "Ghiselle" with Vincent d'Indy.

List of Compositions

Opera

* "Éros, vainqueur" ("Eros, Conqueror"), libretto by Jean Lorrain. f.p. Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels (with Claire Croiza in the title role), March 7, 1910. Note: In 1918, Jane Bathori gave a concert performance of the opera at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier in Paris. In 1932, the first staged performance was produced at the Opéra-Comique (Salle Favart) under the direction of Louis Masson.

Ballet

* "Les Egyptiens", an overture to Maeterlinck's "La Princesse Maleine" and "Les Sept Princesses".

Orchestral works

* "Tête de Kenwark", scène lyrique for cello and orchestra after a dramatic poem by Leconte de Lisle
* "Sainte Rose de Lima", scène mystique for female chorus, soprano, et orchestre
* "Nuits de décembre"
* "Stamboul", orchestral suite.

Chamber music

* "Quatre sonates pour piano" (1939).
* "Trio à cordes"
* "Trio d'anches"
* "Sonate pour alto"
* "Concert à trois", for violin, cello, and piano (1945).
* "Cinq sonates pour violon et piano"
* "Sonate pour violoncelle et piano", (1930).

ongs (mélodies)

* "Le Furet"
* "La Forêt charmée"
* "Bernadette"
* "La Petite Ilse"
* "Une jeune fille parle"
* "Berceuse" ; "Epitaphe"
* "La Cloche fêlée"
* "Cœur ardent"
* "L'Heure mystique")
* Two Collections of Rondels of Charles d'Orléans.

Other compositions

* "Motets pour la messe des morts"
* "Les Cèdres du Liban" (Cedars of Lebanon) for a cappella choruses
* Numerous choral works
* Piano works (sonatas, sonatinas, "Fantasia appassionnata")
* "Fantasie" for guitar

Writings

* "Les Fioretti du père Franck", (1935-1938), a biography of César Franck.
* "Une histoire du théâtre lyrique en France".

External links

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