Pierre de Bréville

Pierre Eugène Humphrey de Breville ( born February 21, 1861 in Bar-le- Duc, † September 23, 1949 in Paris) was a French composer.

The son of a lawyer graduated in preparation for the diplomatic service, law school, but opted for a musical career. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris with Théodore Dubois and 1883-84 received several awards of the International Society of organistes et maîtres de chapelle for church music. At the same time his first songs were written.

In 1888 he traveled with the singer Maurice de Bagès Trigny to the Bayreuth Festival. Here he learned about Vincent d' Indy, César Franck and his pupils Charles Bordes, Ernest Chausson and Henri Duparc, with whom he became friends. Until his death in 1890 he was a pupil of César Franck.

Thereafter, he studied with Vincent d' Indy, who brought him in 1898 as teacher of counterpoint at the Schola Cantorum of Paris. In addition, he succeeded d' Indy as president of the Société Nationale de Musique. In the time of World War I, he taught chamber music at the Conservatoire de Paris.

Had de Breville thus far predominantly songs, orchestral works and operas composed, he turned increasingly to chamber music in 1915. It originated among others Sonatas for violin, viola, cello and oboe and piano, a concerto for piano trio and a suite for instrumental ensemble. He has also written music history, and published 1935-1938 in the Mercure de France, his memories of César Franck.

Works

  • Ave Verum, 1893
  • La Nuit de décembre
  • Stamboul
  • Sans pardon
  • Leros vainqueur, lyrical narrative
  • La Tête de Kenvarc'h, lyrical scene
  • La Princesse Maleine, opera
  • Le Pays des fées, incidental music
  • Les Sept Princesses, incidental music
  • Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1918
  • Cantique de Molière, 1924
  • Dramatique Poème for cello and piano, 1924
  • Sonatina for Oboe and Piano, 1925
  • Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1927
  • Sonata for Cello and Piano, 1930
  • Fantaisie appassionata for Cello and Piano, 1934
  • Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1942
  • Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1943
  • Concert à Trois for Piano Trio, 1945
  • Sonata for Violin and Piano, 1947
  • Suite for instrumental quintet and saxophone quartet

Writings

  • Histoire du théâtre lyrique en France
  • Les Fioretti du Père Franck (Mercure de France, from September 1935 to January 1938 )
Jacques Thibaud Bar-le-Duc Henri Duparc (composer) Schola Cantorum de Paris Name Authority File
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