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Born on 27 January 1928, Jean-Michel Damase composes in a style often compared
to Francis Poulenc, Maurice Ravel, Serge Prokofiev, Albert Roussel, and Jacques
Ibert; incorporating many of the rhythmic and harmonic complexities associated
with twentieth-century French music. Throughout his career, Damase has remained
a traditionalist, "continuing the post-tonal line of Debussy and Ravel
without the modish interest in their deeper-seated implications."* Or, in
the composers own words, "I prefer sincerity to forced innovation."
His music is accessible without being lightweight; melodic, tonal, while
harmonically complex; rhythmically surprising; playful; respectful of tradition
and form; and superbly crafted.
In spite of his works’ obvious and readily
appreciated merits, too few are familiar with Jean-Michel Damase. Because
very little information is available about the composer and his works, I
created this site to assemble as much of it as possible and share it with
others.
My goal is to encourage those who are not yet
familiar with Damase to seek out his very rewarding music. If you are
fortunate enough to have enjoyed hearing or performing Damase’s works, I
hope I can provide some useful information about discovering more.
I welcome your comments, corrections and additions.
Please send information to:
chezdamase@sbcglobal.net
Last updated on 23 December 2006
*The
New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1st Edition
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"What remains as one of the minor mysteries of the last half-century of musical history is the fact that, for all the immediate attractiveness of his compositional voice, the work of Jean-Michel Damase has remained such a well-kept secret."
Christopher Morley
from his program notes for
Piano
Music by Jean-Michel Damase |
NEWS & UPDATES
Significant changes and
additions have been made to the Catalogue of Works. Revision overseen and approved
by M. Damase
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RECOMMENDED
RECORDINGS |
![Jean-Michel Damase: Music for Flute, Harp & Strings [ASV 898]](../images/asv989_cover.jpg)
Gramophone Magazine
Critic's Choice & Good CD Guide selection |
BBC Music Magazine
«««««
Highest Rating
(all categories) |
| [Poésie] |
[Sonatine
for Violin & Harp] |
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Ecoensemble
Trio
Ecoensemble Trio
Trio for Flute, Oboe and Piano
[Catalogue No]
Founded in 1991, the award-winning ensemble (Morena Mestieri, flute; Paola Fundarò, oboe; Anna
Bellagamba, piano) include many rare
and neglected works in their repertoire. Their CD, with
additional works by Eugène Goossens, Gordon Jacob, Franco
Margola and Giordano Tunioli, can be purchased directly from EurArte. |
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Piano
Music by Jean-Michel Damase
Nicholas Unwin, piano
Introduction et Allegro
Thème et Variations
Sonate
Apparition
Huit Etudes
Sonatine
[Catalogue No]
The most important addition to Damase's recorded
repertoire in over a decade. Nicholas Unwin has received universal praise
for his brilliant performances of works previously unavailable on
any format.
In their May 2004 issue, BBC Music Magazine has awarded this recording
«««««, its highest rating, in all
categories.
Mr Unwin and
Somm Recordings are to be congratulated for their tremendous
achievement! Here is an excerpt of the review:
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"Though it might be dismissed by the snootier elements of the music
press - the music is resolutely tonal with conservative harmonies, is
attractive and immediately enjoyable - for me Damase is the most pleasurable
discovery since encountering Kapustin, elements of whose style he
shares."
Jeremy Nicholas, BBC
Music Magazine, May 2004 |
For those unfamiliar with the music of Damase, the recording
serves as an excellent introduction. Covering works from many
periods in the composer's career, it also presents a wonderful
variety of compositional forms that showcase his unique voice.
Any Damase devotee should not hesitate to add this important
recording to their library.
Please support the gifted composer,
the incredibly talented performer and brave record label,
Somm Recordings,
and purchase this CD. |
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The Ecoensemble Trio
(Morena Mestieri, flute; Paola Fundarò, oboe; Anna
Bellagamba, piano) have recorded the Trio for Flute, Oboe and Piano,
included on their self-titled release for EurArte.
Founded in 1991, the award-winning ensemble include many rare
and neglected works in their repertoire. Their CD, with
additional works by Eugène Goossens, Gordon Jacob, Franco
Margola and Giordano Tunioli, can be purchased directly from EurArte. |
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Trio for Flute, Oboe and Piano has been released Boston Records by Amy
Porter, flute, Nancy-Ambrose King, oboe and Phillip Bush, piano. The
only known prior commercial release of this work was made in 1966 by
Jean-Pierre Rampal, flute, and Pierre Pierlot, oboe, with the composer at
piano.
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The première recording of Quatre
facettes for Flute and Guitar by The
Harris-Coates
Duo (Debora Harris, flute and Mike Coates, guitar) is included on their recent CD
release, White
Peacock, available from Barking
Dog Records. For more information, click here.
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| No information available |
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USA International Harp Competition
(July 2004)
Bloomington, Indiana USA
Whilst serving as a judge at the bi-annual USA International Harp
Competition, Monsieur Damase presented a lecture on French music, as well
as taught a Master
Class for Indiana University composition students
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| The new production of L'Héritière by the
Marseille Opera (May 2004)
Marseille, France
To tremendous critical acclaim, the Opéra
Municipal de Marseille (France) presented a new production
of L'Héritière (The Heiress),
Damase's opera from 1974. The production coincided with
a retrospective on the work of the opera's librettist, Louis Ducreux. Performances ran from 6-13 May 2004.
Event coverage includes
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Complete list of credits |
| Exclusive coverage of the pre-concert lecture by
André Peyregne, with the composer and Claude Melloni (creator of the
role of "Morris Townsend") as guests.
(Courtesy of Bernard A.M. Dreyer, French correspondent for Chez DAMASE)
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| Reviews by Le
Monde & Les Echos
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Concert - Jean-Michel Damase (May 2004)
Marseille, France
Conservatoire National de Région de Marseille; Salle Zino Francescatti
Professors and students of the Marseille Conservatoire had the rare
opportunity to present a concert/examination recital in the presence of the
composer. |
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| Paris premiere of the Concertino for Piano & String Orchestra
The Paris premiere of the Concertino for Piano & String Orchestra
took place 18, 24 & 29 January 2004 at the Salle Cortot
of the École Normale de Musique de Paris with the noted pianist,
Françoise Parrot-Hanlet, as soloist. Both the soloist and composer are on faculty at
the school and were able to collaborate extensively prior to the premiere.
The performances met with great success by critics and audiences alike. One
can only hope that this success will lead to more performances by Parrot-Hanlet
in the UK and Europe. Contact Mme Parrot-Hanlet by clicking on her name
above or here.
Françoise Parrot-Hanlet at the piano during the Paris
premiere
of Damase's Concertino for Piano & String Orchestra
Parrot-Hanlet acknowledges the composer
(seated in box on
the upper right)
Damase stands for the soloist and audience
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| Pinnacle Brass (Resident Brass Quintet at the University of Central
Arkansas) commissioned and premiered a new brass quintet by Damase, For
Five.
The American premiere was given 13 November 2002 at the UCA Snow Fine
Arts Center Recital Hall and the European premiere (also given by
Pinnacle Brass) during their tour of Paris on 26 November 2002 at the
Woodwind & Brasswind Music Store, with the composer in
attendance.
Pinnacle Brass with Jean-Michel Damase
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| If you are performing or know of
any future performances, broadcasts or recordings of works by Jean-Michel
Damase, please feel free to submit the information for
inclusion here.
Your input and information are welcomed and encouraged.
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| Bernard A.M. DREYER,
Correspondent in France for Chez DAMASE.
Much of the information from France has been provided by M DREYER and for
that I am most grateful.
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| Sincere thanks to the
following people for their contribution and assistance:
United Music Publishers
Daniel Emerson
F
Fumelli
D
Story |
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