Maurice Emmanuel: 1862 - 1938

[Serial_Apologist]

As one who has long been interested in musical innovation, I am occasionally caught on the hop when it comes to composers "who did it first". I'm wondering who else who contributes to this forum has heard of the French composer Maurice Emmanuel (1862 - 1838), beyond perhaps only knowing of his name. Until this evening I had no idea that as a contemporary of Debussy and Satie he actually predated the innovations of both, while introducing a number of his own which upset his teacher, Delibes. I think you would never guess that of the three piano sonatinas performed in the youtube link below, the first two were composed respectively in 1893 and 1897. The third dates from 1920. This is astonishing music, in my view; why don't we hear more of this kind of French composer on Radio 3?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgt74FhMQME&t=62s

And here is a performance of his lovely, 20-minute Symphony No 1 on 1919 - echoes in places of Debussy and Dukas, but mostly quite distinctive in its time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG4UFNb1WGE

I have been intending to do a series on neglected modern French composers in this country; Maurice Emmanuel wasn't intended to be among them, but I've decided to introduce him in the guise of a prelude to what will follow.

[Richard Barrett]

I'm wondering who else who contributes to this forum has heard of the French composer Maurice Emmanuel (1862 - 1838)

He was an important early influence on Messiaen too, I think his symphonies are really interesting.

[Beef Oven!]

Thanks for this S_A. I listened to the first sonatina before I went to bed last night and found the music very engaging with something eerie about the second movement. Maybe I was just tired!

Hard to understand how this composer seems to have been totally ignored over here. I'd never even heard of him. I look forward to dipping into his music, from now on.

[ahinton]

Thanks for this S_A. I listened to the first sonatina before I went to bed last night and found the music very engaging with something eerie about the second movement. Maybe I was just tired!

Hard to understand how this composer seems to have been totally ignored over here. I'd never even heard of him. I look forward to dipping into his music, from now on.

I'd not heard of him either until Ronald Stevenson mentioned him to me many years ago and played some of his piano music (and what an advocate he was!.

[gradus]

Sooper-dooper. Never heard of him before S_A but many thanks for remedying my oversight. A lovely start to the day.

[Serial_Apologist]

Thanks very much for this positive reception everyone, ( X everyone). I now look forward to introducing other names which may well be "new" to many - a great boost for getting my Neglected Modern French Composers thread going.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

- a great boost for getting my Neglected Modern French Composers thread going.

... or, perhaps, the old one resuscitated?

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?8481-Neglected-20th-Century-French-composers&highlight=jolivet

[Serial_Apologist]

... or, perhaps, the old one resuscitated?

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=jolivet

Well fancy remembering that one from five years ago! This forgetting is what the ageing process does to one. Yes ferney, no harm in me resuscitating that thread, and thanks once again, ferney!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Well fancy remembering that one from five years ago!

I'd remembered quite vividly our discussion about Jolivet.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'd remembered quite vividly our discussion about Jolivet.

Unfortunately "the token has expired" it says, so I shall start a new thread.

(Edit: shouldn't it have been closed down it that is the case?)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Unfortunately "the token has expired" it says, so I shall start a new thread.

(Edit: shouldn't it have been closed down it that is the case?)

What you token 'bout, S_A?

(New Life breathed into Old Thread - I don't know why that message came up for you!)

[Serial_Apologist]

What you token 'bout, S_A?

(New Life breathed into Old Thread - I don't know why that message came up for you!)

It said "The message you have posted has failed for the following reasons", followed by a blank space! So I went to "Go Advanced", and it just said "The token has expired". It was rather tokenistic for an explanation. That said, I have sometimes had "Do you want to leave the page?" when pressing Post Quick Reply, and then found the route to Go Advanced blocked with the same message, forcing me to start all over again. There are other occasions when this message has come up, indicating that I have already sent my post, although I have done nothing of the sort: look Mum, no hands - the message has posted itself! The mysteries of computer systems, ah!