Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1951 in Paris, France

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Francis Kleynjans is a French classical guitarist and composer born on August 18, 1951, in Paris, France. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Kleynjans started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Kleynjans studied at the Conservatoire National de Musique in Paris, where he received a first prize in guitar performance. He also studied composition with Max Deutsch, a pupil of Arnold Schoenberg. Kleynjans continued his studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, where he received a diploma in guitar performance. Kleynjans began his career as a performer, playing in various concerts and festivals throughout France and Europe. He also taught guitar at the Conservatoire de Musique de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and the Ecole Nationale de Musique de Villeurbanne. In addition to his performing and teaching career, Kleynjans is also a prolific composer. He has written over 200 works for guitar, including solo pieces, duets, and chamber music. His compositions are known for their lyrical melodies, intricate harmonies, and technical challenges. One of Kleynjans' most famous works is his suite for guitar, Les Amis de Tango. The suite consists of six movements, each inspired by a different style of tango. The piece has been performed and recorded by many guitarists around the world and has become a staple of the guitar repertoire. Another notable work by Kleynjans is his Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra. The concerto was commissioned by the Orchestre de Chambre de Toulouse and premiered in 1995. The piece showcases Kleynjans' virtuosic guitar playing and his ability to blend the guitar with the orchestral sound. Kleynjans' other works for guitar include his Sonatina for Guitar, his Suite en Duo for two guitars, and his Variations sur un Theme de Django Reinhardt. He has also written music for other instruments, including his Sonata for Flute and Guitar and his Trio for Flute, Cello, and Guitar. Kleynjans' music has been praised for its beauty, originality, and technical difficulty. His compositions have been performed and recorded by many renowned guitarists, including David Russell, Alvaro Pierri, and Aniello Desiderio. In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Kleynjans is also a respected teacher. He has taught masterclasses and workshops around the world and has written several instructional books for guitarists. Overall, Francis Kleynjans is a highly respected figure in the world of classical guitar. His compositions have become staples of the guitar repertoire, and his technical prowess and musicality have inspired generations of guitarists.

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