Paul Taffanel founded the 'Société de musique de chambre pour instruments à vent' (1879-1893), which laid the groundwork for later French interest in wind ensembles.
Historical Context
Darius Milhaud, a Jewish composer born in Aix-en-Provence, escaped to California in 1940 and his wind quintet suite, La Cheminée du roi René, premiered there in 1941.
Composition History
Paul Taffanel's Wind Quintet won a competition in 1876, earning him a gold medal and 300 francs.
Historical Context
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were considered a golden age for French wind playing, largely due to excellent teaching at the Paris Conservatoire.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Jacques Ibert, after winning the Prix de Rome in 1919, focused on writing music that was easy to understand but still contained clever details for connoisseurs.
Composition History
The invention of the wind quintet as an ensemble is generally credited to Anton Reicha, who wrote 24 works for this combination.
Composer Biography
Paul Taffanel, a virtuoso flautist and conductor, was a pupil of Henri Reber, who in turn was a pupil of Anton Reicha, the credited inventor of the wind quintet.
You might also enjoy...
Music by Jolivet, Fine, Villa Lobos & Wood
Pointillé
Works by Hindemith & Ibert & Bozza & Haydn & Beethoven
Ibert: Oeuvres pour vents
Jewish Roots - Music for Wind Quintet
Ibert: Trois pièces brèves; Janáček: Mládi; Hindermith: Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24, No. 2; Ligeti: Ten Pieces for Wind Quintet (New Vienna Octet; Vienna Wind Soloists — Complete Decca Recordings Vol. 10)
