Eugène Bozza

Eugène Joseph Bozza (April 4 1905 – September 28 1991) was a French composer.

Bozza, who studied composition, conducting, and violin at the Paris Conservatoire, was known primarily for his chamber music. Bozza's work includes five symphonies, operas, ballets, and many pieces for brass ensemble. His larger works are rarely performed outside his native France.

Career

Career coach, the director of the Ecole Nationale de Musique, in Valenciennes, from 1951 until his retirement in 1975.

Works

He is particularly noted for his wind writing, having composed pieces for nearly all of the winds and strings during his academic career (including the saxophone, for which his 1936 "Aria" is an important early composition). His chamber music for winds shows great familiarity with the capabilities of the instruments, often demanding a great deal of technical skill, without losing the expressive, melodic style typical of 20th century French chamber music; his music is part of the standard repertoire for several instruments. Examples include his Scherzo for woodwind quintet, a short and lighthearted piece that requires a fair bit of technical skill.

"La légende de Roukmāni", a cantata based on an Indian legend, won him the Prix de Rome in 1934.

List of compositions

Orchestral

Ballet:* "Fêtes romaines" (1939):* "Jeux de plage" (1945); in 1 act

Orchestra:* "Scherzo" (1943):* "Variation libres et finale" (1943):* "Rapsodie niçoise" (1944):* "Pax triumphans", Symphonic Poem, Op.63 (1945):* "Sinfonietta" for String Orchestra, Op.61 (1946):* "Prélude et passacaille" (1947):* Symphonie (1948):* "Children's Overture" (1964):* "Symphonie mimée":* "Mallorca":* "Suite pour un vaudeville, musique de scene pour la Station de Champbaudet":* "Danse de la terre":* "Voyages", Suite for Orchestra and Piano:* "Mikrophonie" for 17 Solists:* "Figures sonores" for 9 Instruments:* "Hommage à Rossini":* "Marche des moissonneurs":* "Cinq mouvements" for String Orchestra (1970):* Symphony No. 1 :* Symphony No. 2 :* Symphony No. 3 :* Symphony No. 4 :* Symphony No. 5

Concertante:* "Concertino" for Viola and Orchestra (1932):* "Concerto" for Violin and Orchestra (1936):* "Concerto" for Saxophone and Orchestra (1937):* "Introduzione et toccata" for Piano and Orchestra (1938):* "Concertino" for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (1939):* "Prélude et invention" for Chamber Orchestra with Piano Obligato, Op.24 (1939):* "Ballade" for Tenor Trombone and Orchestra, Op.62 (1944):* "Concertino" for Bassoon and Chamber Orchestra, Op.49 (1946):* "Concerto" for Cello and Orchestra, Op.57 (1948):* "Concertino" for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra (1949):* "Concerto" for Clarinet and Chamber Orchestra (1952):* "Concertino" for Piano and Winds (1955):* "Concerto" for Violin, Viola, Cello, Winds, Harp and Double Bass (1955):* "Concertino da camera" for Flute and String Orchestra (or Piano) (1964):* "Sicilienne et rondo" for Piano and Orchestra (1965):* "Concertino" for Tuba (or Bass Saxhorn) and Orchestra (1967):* "Atmosphères" for 4 Flutes and Chamber Orchestra (1978):* "Rapsodie niçoise" for Violin and Orchestra:* "Divertissement" for Violin Solo, Winds, Celesta and Harp (1989)

Wind Band:* "Fanfare héroïque" for 3 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, Drums and Cymbals, Op.46 (1944):* "Ouverture pour une cérémonie" for Brass and Percussion (1963):* "Ouverture rythmique" (1963):* "Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile" for Brass, Timpani, Organ and Harp (ad lib.) (1968):* "Marche solennelle des X. jeux olympiques d'hiver":* "...des enfants de Valenciennes":* "Pax triumphans" (transcription for band)

Vocal

Opera:* "Léonidas" (1947, revised 1974); in 3 acts:* "Beppo: ou le mort dont personne ne voulait" (1963); opera buffa in 1 act:* "La duchesse de langeais" (1967); in 4 acts

Oratorio:* "Tentation de Saint Antoine" (1948):* "Passion de Jesus" (1963):* "Le chant de la mine" Cantata:* "La légende de Roukmāni" (1934):* "Psaumes" for Chorus, Orchestra and Organ (1938):* "Cantate du centenaire" Choral:* "L'étoile du soir", Chorus for 3 Female Voices and Piano (1946):* "Requiem" for Soprano, Tenor and Baritone (1950):* "Messe de sa Sainte té Pie XII" for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone (1955):* "Messe de requiem" for Chorus and Orchestra (1971):* "Messe à trois voix a capella":* "Hymne" for Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, Baritone and Piano or Orchestra:* "Sur le chemin du moulin" for 4 Voices and Piano

Voice and Piano:* "Cinq chansons Niçoises" for Voice and Piano, Op.43 (1942):* "Cinq chansons florentines" for High Voice and Piano (1946):* "Colloque séntimental":* "Vocalise" for Voice and Piano

Piano

:* "Pulcinella", Op.53 (1946):* "Toccata" (1956):* "Deux pièces faciles" (1962):* "Sonate" for 2 Pianos (1963):* "Allegro de concert" (1974):* "Esquisse" (1979):* "Promenade dans le parc" (1979)

Chamber

Violin:* "Nocturne sur le lac du Bourget" for Violin and Piano, Op.34 (1923):* "10 Pièces faciles à la première position" for Violin and Piano (1935):* "Habañera" for Violin (or Cello) and Piano (1935):* "Sérénade espagnole" for Violin (or Cello) and Piano (1935):* "Aria" for Alto Saxophone (or Flute or Clarinet or Violin or Cello) and Piano (1936)

Viola:* "Parthie" for Viola Solo (1967):* "Improvisation Burlesque" for Viola and Piano (1968)

Cello:* "Habañera" for Violin (or Cello) and Piano (1935):* "Sérénade espagnole" for Violin (or Cello) and Piano (1935):* "Aria" for Alto Saxophone (or Flute or Clarinet or Violin or Cello) and Piano (1936):* "Orphéus" for Cello Solo (published 1993)

Double Bass:* "Allegro et finale" for Double Bass (or Tuba or Bass Saxhorn or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1953):* "Prélude et allegro" for Double Bass (or Tuba or Bass Saxhorn or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1953):* "Pièce sur le nom d'Édouard Nanny" for Double Bass and Piano (1956):* "8 Études" for Double Bass (1976)

Harp:* "Improvisation sur le nom de Marcel Tournier" (1979):* "Rondino et menuet" (1991)

Guitar:* "Concertino" for Guitar and String Quartet (1969):* "Deux impressions Andalouses" for Guitar (1969):* "Trois préludes" for Guitar (1970)

Flute:* "Aria" for Alto Saxophone (or Flute or Clarinet or Violin or Cello) and Piano (1936):* "Fantaisie italienne" for Clarinet (or Flute or Oboe) and Piano (1939):* "Image" for Flute Solo (1939):* "Agrestide" for Flute and Piano, Op.44 (1942):* "Soir dans les montagnes" for Flute and Piano (1946):* "Trois cadences pour le concerto in sol pour flûte de Mozart" (1949):* "Air pastoral" for Flute (or Oboe) and Piano (1953):* "Jour d'été à la montagne" for Flute Quartet (1953):* "Ronde" for Flute Quartet (1953):* "Trois impressions" for Flute and Piano (1953):* "14 Études-arabesques" for Flute (1960):* "Deux impressions" for Flute and Harp (1967):* "Deux esquisses" for Flute Quartet (1972):* "Dialogue" for Flute and Piano (1972):* "10 Études sur des modes karnatiques" (10 Studies in Karnatic Modes) for Flute (1972):* "Air de vielle" for Flute (or Oboe) and Piano (1976):* "Berceuse" for Flute (or Oboe) and Piano (1976):* "Quatre pièces faciles" for Flute and Piano (1976):* "Cinq chansons sur des thèmes japonais" for Flute and Piano (1978):* "Interlude" for Recorder (Soprano / Alto) Solo or Flute Solo (1978):* "Phorbéia" for Flute Solo (1978):* "Trois pièces" for Flute Quartet (1979):* "3 Évocations" for 2 Flutes (1988):* "Le chant de forêts":* "Aux bonds du torrent":* "Pastorale"

Recorder:* "Interlude" for Recorder (Soprano / Alto) Solo or Flute Solo (1978)

Oboe / English Horn:* "Divertissement" for English Horn (or Alto Saxophone) and Piano, Op.39 (1939):* "Fantaisie italienne" for Clarinet (or Flute or Oboe) and Piano (1939):* "Fantaisie pastorale" for Oboe and Piano, Op.37 (1939):* "18 Études" for Oboe (1950):* "Air pastoral" for Oboe (or Flute) and Piano (1953):* "Conte pastorale" for Oboe and Piano (1953):* "Lied" for English Horn and Piano (1954):* "Sonate" for Oboe and Piano (1971):* "Suite monodique" for Oboe Solo (1971):* "14 Études sur des modes karnatiques" (14 Studies in Karnatic Modes) for Oboe Solo (1972):* "Air de vielle" for Oboe (or Flute) and Piano (1976):* "Berceuse" for Oboe (or Flute) and Piano (1976):* "Pastorale" for Oboe and Piano (1979)

Clarinet / Bass Clarinet:* "Aria" for Alto Saxophone (or Flute or Clarinet or Violin or Cello) and Piano (1936):* "Fantaisie italienne" for Clarinet (or Flute or Oboe) and Piano (1939):* "Pulcinella" for Clarinet (or Alto Saxophone) and Piano (1944):* "14 Études de mecanisme" for Clarinet (1948):* "Bucolique" for Clarinet and Piano (1949):* "Claribel" for Clarinet and Piano (1952):* "12 Études" for Clarinet (1953):* "Idylle" for Clarinet and Piano (1959):* "Prélude et divertissement" for Clarinet (or Alto Saxophone) and Piano (1960):* "Caprice-improvisation" for Clarinet and Piano (1963):* "Lucioles" for 6 Clarinets (1963):* "Divertissement" for Clarinet and Piano, Op.39 (1964):* "Ballade" for Bass Clarinet and Piano (1967):* "Épithalame" for Clarinet and Piano (1971):* "Sonatine" for Clarinet Quartet (1971); also for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon:* "11 Études sur des modes karnatiques" (11 Studies in Karnatic Modes) for Clarinet (1972):* "Suite" for Clarinet and Piano (1973):* "Rapsodie niçoise" for Clarinet and Piano (1977)

Bassoon:* "Récit, sicilienne et rondo" for Bassoon and Piano (1936):* "Fantaisie" for Bassoon and Piano (1945):* "15 Études journalières" for Bassoon (1945):* "Divertissement" for 3 Bassoons (1954):* "Duettino" for 2 Bassoons (1954):* "Burlesque" for Bassoon and Piano (1957):* "Espièglerie" for Bassoon and Piano (1960):* "Prélude et divertissement" for Bassoon and Piano (1960):* "Nocturne-danse" for Bassoon (or Alto Saxophone) and Piano (1967):* "12 Caprices" for Bassoon Solo (1968):* "Pièces brèves" for Bassoon Solo (1968):* "11 Études sur des modes karnatiques" (11 Studies in Karnatic Modes) for Bassoon (1972):* "Shiva" for Bassoon and Piano (1974):* "Cadenza" for Bassoon and Piano

Saxophone:* "Aria" for Alto Saxophone (or Flute or Clarinet or Violin or Cello) and Piano (1936):* "Andante et Scherzo" for Saxophone Quartet (1938):* "Divertissement" for Alto Saxophone (or English Horn) and Piano, Op.39 (1939):* "12 Études-caprices" for Saxophone (1944):* "Pulcinella" for Alto Saxophone (or Clarinet) and Piano, Op.53 No.1 (1944):* "Scaramouche" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1944):* "Nuages", Scherzo for Saxophone Quartet (1946):* "Improvisation et caprice" for Saxophone Solo (1952) :* "Impromptu et danse" for Alto Saxophone (or Baryton Saxophone) and Piano (1954):* "Pièce brève" for Alto Saxophone Solo (1955):* "Prélude et divertissement" for Alto Saxophone (or Clarinet) and Piano (1960):* "Chanson à bercer" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1964):* "Gavotte des demoiselles" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1964):* "La campanile" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1964):* "Menuet des pages" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1964):* "Parade des petits soldats" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1964):* "Petite gavotte" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1964):* "Rêves d'enfant" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1964):* "Nocturne-danse" for Alto Saxophone (or Bassoon) and Piano (1967):* "Tarentelle" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1968):* "Diptyque" for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1970):* "Pièce concertante" for Tenor Saxophone and Piano

Horn:* "En forêt" for Horn and Piano (or Orchestra), Op.40 (1941):* "En Irlande" for Horn and Piano (1951):* "Suite" for Horn Quartet (1952):* "Chant lointain" for Horn and Piano (1957):* "Sur les cimes" for Horn and Piano (1960):* "18 Études en forme d'improvisation" for Horn (1961):* "Entretiens" for Horn and Piano (1974)

Trumpet / Cornet:* "Caprice No.1" for Trumpet and Piano, Op.47 (1943):* "Badinage" for Trumpet and Piano (1950):* "16 Études" for Trumpet, Bugle or Cornet (1950):* "Dialogue" for 2 Trumpets (1954):* "Rustiques" for Cornet or Trumpet and Piano (1955):* "Rapsodie" for Trumpet and Piano (1957):* "Cornettina" for Cornet or Trumpet and Piano (1965):* "Frigariana" for Trumpet and Piano (1967):* "11 Études sur des modes karnatiques" (11 Studies in Karnatic Modes) for Trumpet (1972):* "Lied" for Trumpet and Piano (1976):* "Caprice No.2" for Trumpet and Piano (1978)

Trombone:* "Ballade" for Trombone and Piano (1944):* "Allegro et finale" for Bass Trombone (or Double Bass or Tuba or Bass Saxhorn) and Piano (1953):* "Prélude et allegro" for Bass Trombone (or Double Bass or Tuba or Bass Saxhorn) and Piano (1953):* "13 Études-caprices" for Trombone (1956):* "Hommage à Bach" for Trombone and Piano (1957):* "Thème varié" for Bass Trombone (or Tuba or Bass Saxhorn) and Piano (1957):* "New Orleans" for Bass Trombone (or Tuba or Bass Saxhorn) and Piano (1962):* "3 Pièces" for Trombone Quartet (Tuba ad lib.) (1964):* "Ciaccona" for Trombone and Piano (1967):* "11 Études sur des modes karnatiques" (11 Studies in Karnatic Modes) for Trombone (1972)

Bass Saxhorn:* "Allegro et finale" for Bass Saxhorn (or Double Bass or Tuba or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1953):* "Prélude et allegro" for Bass Saxhorn (or Double Bass or Tuba or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1953):* "Thème varié" for Bass Saxhorn (or Tuba or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1957):* "New Orleans" for Bass Saxhorn (or Tuba or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1962)

Tuba:* "Allegro et finale" for Tuba (or Double Bass or Bass Saxhorn or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1953):* "Prélude et allegro" for Tuba (or Double Bass or Bass Saxhorn or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1953):* "Thème varié" for Tuba (or Bass Saxhorn or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1957):* "New Orleans" for Tuba (or Bass Saxhorn or Bass Trombone) and Piano (1962)

Percussion:* "Rythmic" for Timpani, Percussion and Piano, Op.70 (1948):* "Rhapsodie sur des airs japonais" for Timpani, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Percussion and Piano (1978):* "Vanaspati" for 12 Percussionists and Xylophone ad lib. (1979):* "Rag Music" for Timpani, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Percussion and Piano (1981):* "Trois esquisses japonaises" for Percussion

Duos:* "Sonatine" for Flute and Bassoon (1938):* "Ricercare" for Violin and Cello (1959):* "Polydiaphonie" for Flute and Guitar (1972):* "Quatre esquisses" for Trumpet and Trombone (1974):* "Trois mouvements" for Flute and Clarinet (1974):* "Berceuse et sérénade" for Flute and Guitar (1976):* "Sonatine" for Viola and Cello (1976):* "Contrastes I" for Flute and Bassoon (1977):* "Contrastes II" for Oboe and Bassoon (1977):* "Contrastes III" for Clarinet and Bassoon (1977):* "Contrastes IV" for Trumpet and Horn (1977):* "Trois essais" for Trombone and Percussion (1977):* "Trois pièces" for Flute and Guitar (1977):* "Trois pièces" for Flute and Oboe (or Flute) (published 1990)

Trios:* "Fughette, sicilienne, rigaudon" for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon (1934):* "Suite brève en trio" for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon (1947):* "Sérénade en trio" for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon (1971)

Quartets:* "Quatuor en la" for String Quartet (1946):* "3 Pièces pour une musique de nuit" for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon (1954):* "Sérénade pour quatuor à vent" for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon (1969):* "Sonatine pour quatuor à vent" for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon (1971):* "Trois pièces pour quatuor de cuivres" for 2 Trumpets, Horn and Trombone (1977)

Quintets:* "Variations sur un thème libre" for Woodwind Quintet, Op.42 (1943):* "Scherzo" for Woodwind Quintet, Op.48 (1944):* "Sonatine" for Brass Quintet (1951):* "Giration" for Brass Quintet (1967):* "Suite française" for Brass Quintet (1967):* "Suite" [No.2] for Brass Quintet (1967):* "Pentaphonie" for Woodwind Quintet (1969):* "Trilogie" for Brass Quintet (1969):* "Trois mouvements" for 2 Trumpets (or Cornets), Horn, Trombone and Tuba (1979):* "Quand les muses collaborent" for Woodwind Quintet

Larger Ensembles:* "Symphonie da camera" for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons and 2 Horns (1960):* "Bis" for 2 Trumpets, 2 Horns, Trombone and Tuba (or Bass Saxhorn) (1963):* "Quatre mouvements pour septuor à vent" for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet and Trombone (1970):* "Octanphonie" for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns and 2 Bassoons (1972):* "Prélude et chaconne" for 3 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, Bass Drum and Gong (1976):* "Trois pièces pour septuor de cuivres" for 2 Trumpets, Horn, 3 Trombones and Tuba (1985):* "Trois pièces" for 4 Trombones, Bass Trombone and Tuba:* "Cappricio sur le nom de Claude Delvincourt" for 12 Wind Instruments:* "Symphonie de chambre" for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Harp, Celesta and Piano

Media

Eugene Bozza - BalladeEugene Bozza - Duettino for 2 BassoonsEugene Bozza - Sonata for Oboe and PianoFantaisie Italienne

References

*Paul Griffiths and Richard Langham Smith. "Eugène Bozza", "Grove Music Online", ed. L. Macy (accessed January 16 2005), [http://www.grovemusic.com/ grovemusic.com] (subscription access).
* [http://www.EugeneBozza.com/ Eugene Bozza Biography, Music Samples and Informational Site]