Role

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Composer Performer

Country

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France

Genre

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Crossover

 

Hughes de Courson is a French composer and musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on October 9, 1948, in Paris, France, de Courson grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and conductor, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, de Courson was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of six. De Courson's musical education began at the Conservatoire National de Musique in Paris, where he studied composition, orchestration, and conducting. He also studied the piano and the guitar, which would later become his primary instrument. After completing his studies, de Courson began working as a composer and arranger for various French artists, including Jacques Higelin and Catherine Lara. In the 1980s, de Courson began to explore the world of world music, incorporating elements of traditional music from around the globe into his compositions. He formed the group Malicorne, which blended French folk music with elements of Celtic and Middle Eastern music. The group released several albums and became popular in France and beyond. De Courson's interest in world music led him to explore the music of the Middle East, particularly the music of the Ottoman Empire. He began to study the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument, and incorporated it into his compositions. He also began to work with musicians from the Middle East, including Turkish singer Kudsi Erguner and Iranian singer Shahram Nazeri. In the 1990s, de Courson began to focus on classical music, particularly the music of the Baroque era. He began to arrange and adapt Baroque music for modern instruments, incorporating elements of world music into his arrangements. He formed the group Baroque Fusion, which blended Baroque music with elements of Middle Eastern and African music. The group released several albums and performed around the world. De Courson's most notable works include his arrangements of Baroque music, including his adaptation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons for oud and orchestra. He has also composed several original works, including his opera La Princesse Arabe, which blends Middle Eastern and Western musical traditions. De Courson's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with several awards and honors. In 2002, he was awarded the Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros for his album Le Royaume Oublié, which blends Baroque music with traditional music from the Middle East. He has also been awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for his contributions to the arts. Today, de Courson continues to compose and perform music, blending elements of classical, world, and folk music into his compositions. He remains a respected figure in the world of classical music, known for his innovative and unique approach to composition and arrangement.

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