Everything about Charles Gounod totally explained
Charles-François Gounod (
June 18,
1818 –
October 18,
1893) was a
French composer, best known for his
Ave Maria as well as his
operas
Faust and
Roméo et Juliette.
Biography
Gounod was born in
Paris, the son of a pianist mother and a draftsman father. His mother was his first piano teacher. Under her tutelage, Gounod first showed his musical talents. He entered the
Paris Conservatoire where he studied under
Fromental Halévy.
He won the
Prix de Rome in 1839 for his
cantata Ferdinand.
He subsequently went to
Italy where he studied the music of
Palestrina. He concentrated on religious music of the sixteenth century.
Gounod eventually returned to Paris and composed the "Messe Solennelle", also known as the "Saint Cecilia Mass". This work was first performed in London during 1851 and began his reputation as a noteworthy composer.
He wrote two symphonies in 1855. His Symphony No.1 in D major was the inspiration for
Georges Bizet's (who was then Gounod's 17 year old student)
Symphony No. 1 in C, composed later that same year. Despite their charm and brilliance, Gounod's symphonies are seldom performed. One of the few recordings of the symphonies was a CD made by Sir
Neville Mariner with the
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields for
Philips Records.
Gounod wrote his first opera,
Sapho, in 1851, but had no great success until
Faust (1859), based on the
play by
Goethe.
This remains his best-known work. The romantic and highly melodious
Roméo et Juliette (based on the
Shakespeare play), premiered in 1867, is also performed and recorded regularly. The charming and highly individual
Mireille of 1864 is admired by connoisseurs.
There is some controversy surrounding "Faust". Many critics believed it was a far advancement over Gounod's prior works. One critic stated his doubt that Gounod composed it, which prompted Gounod to challenge the critic to a duel. The critic withdrew his statement.
From 1870 to 1875 Gounod lived in England, becoming the first conductor of what is now the
Royal Choral Society. Much of Gounod's music from this time is vocal or choral in nature.
Later in his life, Gounod returned to his early religious impulses, writing much
religious music, including a musical setting of
Ave Maria based on the first prelude from Book I of the
Well-Tempered Clavier (BWV 846) by
J.S. Bach and
Hymnus Pontificius the anthem of Vatican.
In fact, he died as he put the finishing touches to a requiem "Le Grand Requiem" inspired by the death of his grandson, a major work which he was never to hear performed.
Gounod died in 1893 in
Saint-Cloud, France.
Compositions
Operas
Oratorios
Tobie (c. 1866)
Gallia (1871)
Jésus sur le lac de Tibériade (1878)
La rédemption (1882) (commissioned for, and premiered at the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival)
Christus factus est (1883)
Mors et Vita (1884)
Requiem (1893)
Symphonies
Symphony No. 1 in D major (1855) (probably begun around 1843)
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major (1855)
Symphony No. 3 in B flat major (Little Symphony for Wind Instruments, see below under "Chamber music")
Chamber music
String Quartet in A minor (Old No.3)
String Quartet No.1 in C minor "Le petit quatuor"
String Quartet No.2 in A Major
String Quartet No.3 in F Major
Petite Symphonie for Winds (Petite Symphonie pour instruments à vent, Symphony No. 3 in B flat major)
Instrumental
"Marche Pontificale" composed for Pope Pius IX's silver jubilee of priestly ordination in 1869. Since 24 December 1949 it's the official papal anthem.
"Funeral March of a Marionette" (1872), well-known for being the theme music to the TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
Sources
Sadie, S. (ed.) (1980) The New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians, [vol.# 7].Further Information
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