Milhaud: Music for 2 Pianists

Featuring

Artur Pizarro
Stephen Coombs
Darius Milhaud

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Composer Biography

Darius Milhaud was a prolific composer, appending opus numbers to over 443 compositions during his long career from 1910 to 1973.

Cultural Impact

Milhaud's ballet "Le Bœuf sur le Toit" was so successful that a new Parisian nightclub took its name, and Milhaud was given life membership.

Composition History

Milhaud's "carnaval à la nouvelle-orléans" was inspired by his son Daniel, who learned of an Edgar Degas painting depicting a party at the artist's brother's house in New Orleans.

Critical Reception

Milhaud initially believed his piece "Scaramouche" had no future and advised against its publication, but the publisher insisted, to their eventual delight.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Milhaud was an inveterate traveler throughout his life, absorbing musical impressions and influences from many countries into his compositions.

Historical Context

Milhaud's "Le Bal Martiniquais" was inspired by melodies sent to him by Henri Hoppenot, the Free French Gaullist Governor of the Antilles, after the islands were liberated from Vichy rule during WWII.

Compositional Technique

Milhaud's "Le Bœuf sur le Toit" uses a rondo theme that is polytonal and progresses through all twelve keys by rising minor thirds and modulating whole tones.