Théodore Dubois
Clément François Théodore Dubois (24 August 1837 – 11 June 1924) was a French Romantic composer, organist, and music teacher.
After study at the
As a composer, Dubois was seen as capable and tasteful, but not strikingly original or inspired. He hoped for a career as an opera composer, but became better known for his church compositions. His books on music theory were influential, and remained in use for many years.
Life and career
Early years
Dubois was born in
The Prix brought with it liberally subsidised accommodation and tuition at the
Return to Paris
On his return to Paris in 1866 Dubois was appointed maître de chapelle (choirmaster) at Sainte-Clotilde, where, on Good Friday, 1867, his forces performed his Les Sept paroles du Christ (The Seven Last Words of Christ), afterwards performed at the Concerts populaires (1870) and in many other churches.[4]
When Camille Saint-Saëns and Romain Bussine established the Société nationale de musique in 1871, Dubois was a founding member together with, among others, Henri Duparc, Gabriel Fauré, César Franck, Ernest Guiraud and Massenet.[7] In the same year he was appointed choirmaster at the Church of the Madeleine. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71 he joined the National Guard; his biographer Hugues Imbert records, "it was in military uniform that he and Saint-Saëns often met at the église de la Madeleine, one to lead the chapel choirs, the other to ascend to the great organ". Both men escaped the bloody final days of the Paris Commune, Saint-Saëns to England and Dubois to his family home in Rosnay.[8]
Dubois joined the faculty of the Conservatoire in 1871, succeeding Antoine Elwart as professor of harmony; he retained the post for the next 20 years.[1][4] His students in his harmony and, later, composition classes included Paul Dukas, George Enescu, Albéric Magnard and Florent Schmitt.[n 1] In August 1872 Dubois married the pianist Jeanne Duvinage (1843–1922), whose father was a conductor at the Opéra-Comique. It was a lifelong and happy marriage; they had two children.[10]
Dubois had ambitions to be an opera composer, but was unable to gain a foothold at the major Parisian opera companies. At the old Théâtre Athénée his one-act La Guzla de l'Emir (The Emir's Lute), with a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, was successfully given in 1873 in a triple bill with short operas by Jean Gregoire Penavaire and Paul Lacôme.[4][11] In 1878 he shared with Benjamin Godard, the prize at the Concours Musical instituted by the city of Paris, and his Paradis perdu (Paradise Lost) was performed, first at the public expense November 1878), and again on the two following Sundays at the Concerts du Châtelet.[4]
In 1877 Saint-Saëns retired as organist of the Madeleine; Dubois replaced him and was succeeded as choirmaster by Fauré.
Dubois never succeeded in having an opera staged by France's premier house, the
In 1884 Dubois had an expensive success with his four-act opera, Aben-Hamet. It opened at the Théâtre Italien in the Place du Châtelet and was enthusiastically received,[19] but closed after four performances when a financial crisis forced the theatre out of business, leaving Dubois with personal liabilities to pay the singers' outstanding wages.[20]
Later years
When Léo Delibes died in January 1891, Dubois was appointed to succeed him as professor of composition at the Conservatoire.[20] After the death of Charles Gounod in 1894 Dubois was elected to succeed him as a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, a recognition, according to his biographer Jann Pasler, of "the clarity and idealism of his music".[1]
In 1896 Thomas, director of the Conservatoire since 1871, died. Massenet, professor of counterpoint, fugue and composition, was widely expected to succeed him but overplayed his hand by insisting on appointment for life. When the French government refused, he resigned from the faculty.[21][n 3] Dubois was appointed director and continued Thomas's intransigently conservative regime.[24] The music of Auber, Halévy and especially Meyerbeer was regarded as the correct model for students, and old French music such as that of Rameau and modern music, including that of Wagner, were kept rigorously out of the curriculum.[25] Dubois was unremittingly hostile to Maurice Ravel who, when a Conservatoire student, did not conform to the faculty's anti-modernism,[24] and in 1902 Dubois unavailingly forbade Conservatoire students to attend performances of Debussy's ground-breaking new opera, Pelléas et Mélisande.[26]
In June 1905 Dubois was forced to bring his planned retirement forward after a public scandal caused by the faculty's blatant attempt to stop Ravel winning the Prix de Rome.[27] Fauré was appointed to succeed Dubois as director, with a brief from the French government to modernise the institution.[28]
In his private capacity, Dubois was less reactionary than in the academic régime over which he presided. When Wagner's Parsifal had its belated Parisian premiere in 1914, Dubois said to his colleague Georges Hüe that no music more beautiful had ever been written. Privately he was fascinated by Debussy's music, with its "subtiles harmonies et les précieux raffinements" – subtle harmonies and precious refinements.[29]
After his retirement from the Conservatoire, Dubois remained a familiar figure in Parisian musical circles. He was president of the association of Conservatoire alumni, and presided at its annual award ceremony.[30] Until his final years he remained vigorous. The death of his wife in 1923 was a blow from which he did not recover, and he died at his Paris home, after a short illness, on 11 June 1924, aged 86.[30]
Music
Although he wrote many religious works, Dubois had hopes for a successful career in opera. His fascination with Near-Eastern subjects led to the composition to his first staged work, La guzla de l'émir, and his first four-act opera, Aben-Hamet. The latter received excellent notices, for the cast (led by
The music of Dubois also includes ballets, oratorios and three symphonies. His best known work is the oratorio Les sept paroles du Christ ("The Seven Last Words of Christ" [1867]), which continues to be performed from time to time. His Toccata in G (1889), remains in the regular organ repertoire. The rest of his large output has almost entirely disappeared from view. He has had a more lasting influence in teaching, with his theoretical works Traité de contrepoint et de fugue (on counterpoint and fugue) and Traité d'harmonie théorique et pratique (on harmony) still being sometimes used today.[1]
Selected works
Operas
- La prova di un'opera seria, (unpublished, composed in Rome, 1863).
- La guzla de l'émir, opéra comique (1 act, J. Barbier & M. Carré), f.p. 30 April 1873, Théâtre de l'Athénée, Paris.
- Le pain bis, opéra comique (1 act, A. Brunswick & A.R. de Beauplan), f.p. 26/27 February 1879, Opéra-Comique (Théâtre Favart), Paris.
- L'enlèvement de Proserpine, scène lyrique (1 act, P. Collin), f.p. 1879.
- Aben-Hamet, opéra (4 acts, L. Détroyat & A. de Lauzières), f.p. 16 December 1884, Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
- Xavière, idylle dramatique (3 acts, L. Gallet, after F. Fabre), f.p. 26 November 1895, Opéra Comique (Théâtre Lyrique), Paris.
- Miguela, opéra (3 acts) (Originally unperformed, except prélude and second act tableau from Act 3, concert perf. 23 February 1896, Paris.) f.p. 18 May 1916, Opéra, Paris.
- La fiancée d'Abydos (unperformed)
- Le florentin (unperformed)
Ballets
- La Korrigane, (ballet by Louis Mérante), f.p. 12 January 1880, Opéra, Paris.
- La Farandole, (ballet by Louis Mérante), f.p. 14 December 1883, Opéra-Comique, Paris.
Vocal works
- Les Sept Paroles du Christ, (1867) oratorio dedicated to Abbot Jean-Gaspard (1797-1871) curé of La Madeleine.
- Le Paradis Perdu, oratorio (1878 - Prix de la ville de Paris)
- Numerous cantatas, including: L'enlèvement de Proserpine, Hylas, Bergerette; Les Vivants et les Morts
- Masses and religious compositions
Orchestral works
- Marche héroïque de Jeanne d'Arc
- Fantaisie triomphale for organ & orchestra
- Hymne nuptial
- Adonis (1901)
- Méditation, Prières for strings, oboe, harp, & organ
- Concerto-Capriccio for piano & orchestra, C minor (1976)
- Concerto pour violon (1896)
- Concerto pour piano n° 2, F minor (1897)
- Notre-Dame de la Mer, poème symphonique
- Adomis, poème symphonique
- Symphonie française (1908)
- Symphonie n°2 (1911)
- Symphonie n°3 (1915)
- Evocation (1915)
- Fantasietta (1917)
- Suite for Piano and String Orchestra in F minor (1917)
Chamber music
- Cantabile (or Andante Cantabile) for viola or cello and piano (1886)
- Hymne nuptial for violin, viola, cello, harp and organ
- Quintet for oboe, violin, viola, cello and piano
- Terzettino for flute, viola and harp (1905)
- Piano Quartet in A minor (1907)
- Dectet for string and wind quintets
- Nonetto for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, 2 violins, viola, cello and double bass
- Nocturne for cello and piano
Other compositions
- Piano works : Chœur et Danse des Lutins, Six Poèmes Sylvestres, etc.
- Numerous pieces for organ and for harmonium.
- Douze Pièces pour orgue ou piano-pédalier (1889), including the famous Toccata in G (no. 3)
- Douze Pièces Nouvelles pour orgue ou piano-pédalier (1893), including In Paradisum (no. 9)
- Deux Petites Pièces pour orgue ou harmonium (1910) : Petite pastorale champenoise et Prélude
- 42 Pièces pour orgue sans pédales ou harmonium (1925)
Writings
- Dubois, Théodore (1889). Notes et études d'harmonie pour servir de supplément au traité de H. Reber. Paris: Heugel.
- Dubois, Théodore (1901). Traité de contrepoint et de fugue. Paris: Heugel.
- Dubois, Théodore (1921). Traité d'harmonie théorique et pratique. Paris: Heugel.
- Dubois, Théodore (1921). Réalisations des basses et chants du Traité d'harmonie par Théodore Dubois. Paris: Heugel.
Recording selection
- Théodore Dubois, Organistes de Paris à la Belle Époque, Vol 1 (2004), Helga Schauerte-Maubouet, Organ Merklin Cathedral in Moulins(F) Syrius 141382.
- Theodore Dubois, The Romantic Piano Concerto #60, (2013) Concerto-capriccioso in C minor; Piano Concerto #2 and Suite for Piano and String Orchestra, Cédric Tiberghien (pianist), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Manze-conductor,Hyperion 67931
- Théodore Dubois, Musique sacrée et symphonique & Musique de Chambre (2015), Various performers; BruZane ES1018RSK (Volume 2 in Collection Portraits)
Media
See also
See: List of music students by teacher: C to F#Théodore Dubois.
Notes, references and sources
Notes
- ^ The printed commentary below is hostile, describing Dubois as "pète-sec un et pisse-froid … ressemble à un proviseur de petite ville": "fart-dry and piss-cold … looks like a small-town headmaster"
- ^ An alternative explanation for Massenet's resignation was propounded by Massenet himself, who wrote in 1910 that he had remained in post as professor out of loyalty to Thomas, and was eager to abandon all academic work in favour of composing, a statement repeated by at least two of his biographers.[22][23]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Pasler, Jann. "Dubois, (François Clément) Théodore", Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press. Retrieved 24 May 2021 (subscription required)
- ^ Imbert, p. 48
- ^ Imbert, p. pp. 48–49
- ^ a b c d e f g Jullien, pp. 734–735
- ^ Gandrey-Rety, Jean. "Théodore Dubois", Les Spectacles, 8 August 1924, pp. 4–5
- ^ a b Imbert, p. 53
- ^ Cochard, Alain. "150ème anniversaire de la naissance de la Société nationale de musique", Concertclassic.com. Retrieved 24 May 2021
- ^ Imbert, p. 56
- ^ "Dubois", Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press. Retrieved 24 May 2021 (subscription required)
- ^ Imbert, p. 57
- ^ "Spectacles du 10 Mai 18", Courrier des hotels, 10 May 1873
- ^ Jones, p. 33
- ^ Noël and Stoullig (1880), pp. 178–179
- ^ Nectoux (1991), p. 507
- ^ Nectoux (1991), p. 39
- ^ Imbert, p. 59
- ^ a b Noël and Stoullig (1884), p. 24
- ^ a b Imbert, p. 60
- ^ a b "The Drama in Paris", The Era, 27 December 1884, p. 14
- ^ a b Imbert, p. 61
- ^ Duchen, p. 122; Gordon, p. 131; Johnson, p. 260; Jones, p. 78; Nectoux (1994), p. 63; and Smith, p. 137
- ^ Massenet, p. 216; and Irvine, p. 204
- ^ Macdonald, Hugh. "Massenet, Jules", Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press. Retrieved 24 May 2021 (subscription required)
- ^ a b Nichols, p. 35; and Orenstein, p. 26
- ^ Nectoux (1991), p. 269
- ^ Orledge, p. 65
- ^ Nectoux (1991), p. 267
- ^ Nectoux (1991), p. 268
- ^ Hüe, Georges, quoted in "Théodore Dubois", Le Ménestrel, 20 June 1924, p. 284
- ^ a b Gandrey-Rety, Jean. "Mort de Théodore Dubois", Comœdia, 12 June 1924, p. 1
- ^ "Xavière", The Era, 30 November 1895, p. 10
Sources
- Duchen, Jessica (2000). Gabriel Fauré. London: Phaidon. ISBN 978-0-71-483932-5.
- Irvine, Demar (1994). Massenet – A Chronicle of His Life and Times. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. ISBN 978-1-57-467024-0.
- ISBN 978-0-75-465960-0.
- Jones, J. Barrie (1989). Gabriel Fauré – A Life in Letters. London: Batsford. ISBN 978-0-71-345468-0.
- Jullien, Adolphe (1902). "Dubois, François Clément Théodore". Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Vol. 1 (second ed.). London: Macmillan. OCLC 861125.
- Massenet, Jules (1919) [1910]. My Recollections. Boston: Small Maynard. OCLC 774419363.
- ISBN 978-0-52-161695-9.
- Nectoux, Jean-Michel (1994). Camille Saint-Saëns et Gabriel Fauré: Correspondance, 1862–1920 (in French). Paris: Société française de musicologie. ISBN 978-2-85-357004-6.
- ISBN 978-0-460-03146-2.
- Orenstein, Arbie (1991) [1975]. Ravel: Man and Musician. Mineola, US: Dover. ISBN 978-0-486-26633-6.
- Orledge, Robert (1979). Gabriel Fauré. London: Eulenburg Books. ISBN 0-903873-40-0.
- Smith, Rollin (2010). Saint-Saëns and the Organ. Stuyvesant, US: Pendragon. ISBN 978-1-57-647180-7.
External links
- Festival Théodore Dubois and official art | Palazzetto Bru Zane Venice
- Free scores by Théodore Dubois at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
- Theodore Dubois Chamber Music sound-bites from several works and short biography
- Free scores by Théodore Dubois in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- Theodore Dubois. Adoration (Posth.). Andrew Pink (2021) Exordia ad missam.
- Xavière : idylle dramatique en trois actes, 1896 publication, digitized by BYU on archive.org