Étienne Nicolas Méhul (1763-1817)
- Simphonie [g] à grand orchestre (1808)
Performers: Kammerorchester Berlin; Matthieu Lange (1905-1992, conductor)
Further info: Étienne Nicolas Méhul (1763-1817) - Symphony No.2 in D
---
French composer. His father apprenticed him to the old blind organist of
the Couvent des Recollets in Givet, after which he went to Lavaldieu,
where he studied with the German organist Wilhelm Hansen, director of
music at the monastery there. In 1778 he went to Paris, where he
continued his musical studies with Jean-Frederic Edelmann. His first
opera to receive a performance was Euphrosine et Corradin ou le Tyran
corrigé (Theatre Favart, Paris, Sept. 4, 1790); another opera, Alonzo et
Cora, was staged at the Paris Opera on Feb. 15, 1791. His next opera,
Adrien, was in rehearsal by the end of 1791, but the revolutionary
turmoil prevented a performance; it finally received its premiere at the
Paris Opera on June 4, 1799. His opera Stratonice was given at the
Theatre Favart in Paris on May 3, 1792, and was highly successful. Then
followed his opera Le Jeune Sage et le vieux fou, which was performed at
the same theater on March 28, 1793. In 1793 Mehul became a member of
the Institute National de Musique, which had been organized by the
National Convention under the revolutionary regime. He composed a number
of patriotic works during these turbulent years of French history,
including the popular Chant du depart (1st perf. publicly on July 4,
1794). He also continued to compose for the theater, shrewdly selecting
subjects for his operas allegoricall suitable to the times. In 1794 he
was awarded an annual pension of 1,000 francs by the Comedie-Italienne.
In 1795 he became one of the 5 inspectors of the newly established
Conservatory. He became a member of the Legion d'honneur in 1804.
Between 1795 and 1807 Mehul composed 18 operas, some of which were
written in collaboration with other composers. His greatest opera from
this period is the biblical Joseph (Opera-Comique, Feb. 17, 1807); its
success in Paris led to performances in Germany, Austria, Hungary,
Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, England, Italy, and
America. Also noteworthy is his Chant national du 14 juillet 1800, an
extensive work calling for 2 choirs with an additional group of high
voices and orchestral forces. Apart from operas, he composed several
symphonies. In spite of poor health, he continued to teach classes at
the Paris Conservatory; among his students was Louis Joseph Ferdinand
Hérold. His last opera was La Journee aux aventures, which was given at
the Opera-Comique on Nov. 16, 1816. Although Mehul's operas practically
disappeared from the active repertoire, his contribution to the operatic
art remains of considerable historical importance. Beethoven, Weber,
and Mendelssohn were cognizant of some of his symphonic works, which
included 4 well-crafted symphonies.
Cap comentari:
Publica un comentari a l'entrada