Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1948 in Paris, France

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Claude Engel was a French classical music composer, born on May 15, 1948, in Paris, France. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz guitarist and his mother a classical pianist. This musical environment had a significant impact on his early life, and he began playing the guitar at the age of 12. Engel's musical education began at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he studied classical guitar and composition. He later continued his studies at the École Normale de Musique de Paris, where he received a degree in composition. During this time, he also studied jazz guitar with renowned jazz guitarist, René Thomas. Engel's early compositions were heavily influenced by jazz and rock music, and he often incorporated these elements into his classical compositions. His first major work, "Suite pour guitare et orchestre," was composed in 1972 and premiered at the Festival de la Cité Internationale in Paris. This work showcased Engel's unique style, which blended classical and jazz elements. In 1974, Engel joined the progressive rock band, Magma, as a guitarist and composer. He played on several of the band's albums, including "Köhntarkösz" and "Üdü Ẁüdü." During his time with Magma, Engel continued to compose classical music, including his "Concerto pour guitare et orchestre," which was premiered in 1976. After leaving Magma in 1977, Engel focused on his classical compositions and began collaborating with other musicians and artists. He worked with French composer, Maurice Jarre, on the score for the film, "The Tin Drum," which won an Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1979. Engel's most famous work is his "Concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre," which was composed in 1983 and premiered by the Orchestre National de France. This work showcases Engel's ability to blend classical and jazz elements seamlessly, and it has become a staple of the cello repertoire. Throughout his career, Engel continued to push the boundaries of classical music, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and world music into his compositions. He collaborated with musicians from around the world, including Indian sitar player, Ravi Shankar, and African percussionist, Babatunde Olatunji. Engel's legacy as a composer and musician is significant, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary classical composers. He passed away on September 2, 2019, at the age of 71, leaving behind a rich and diverse body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

More....