The Ballades, among Tansman's most personal piano compositions, were written in Nice in 1941, reflecting the tragic tones of his impending exile to the USA during wartime.
Composer Biography
In 1932-33, Alexandre Tansman became the first Western composer to undertake a world tour.
Composer Biography
During his 1927-28 US tour, Alexandre Tansman met George Gershwin and Charlie Chaplin, dedicating his Second Piano Concerto to Chaplin.
Composer Biography
Tansman's renown reached the United States by 1925, with American premieres of his works by the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Tansman's Eight Cantilenas, dedicated to Arthur Rubinstein, are an homage to J.S. Bach, aiming to salute the universal, meditative nature of Bach's music rather than imitate his style.
Composer Biography
Alexandre Tansman, a Polish composer, moved to Paris in 1919 and quickly became prominent among European musicians, including Ravel, Milhaud, and Stravinsky.
Historical Context
The years leading up to World War II saw Tansman's music removed from programs in certain parts of Europe, and he eventually went into exile in the United States.
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