Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

March 21, 1696

Death

:

1762

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Pierre Février was a French composer and pianist who lived from 1922 to 2007. He was born in Paris, France, and showed an early interest in music. His parents were both musicians, and his father was a composer and conductor. Février began studying piano at a young age and showed great talent. He went on to study at the Paris Conservatory, where he was a student of Marguerite Long and Alfred Cortot. Février's early compositions were influenced by the French Impressionist style, particularly the music of Claude Debussy. He also drew inspiration from the works of Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky. Février's music was characterized by its lyricism, harmonic complexity, and use of unusual rhythms and meters. Février's first major work was his Piano Concerto, which he composed in 1948. The concerto was well-received and established Février as a promising young composer. He went on to compose a number of other works for piano, including several sonatas and a set of preludes. In addition to his work as a composer, Février was also a highly regarded pianist. He performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and was known for his interpretations of the works of Debussy and Ravel. Février was also a respected teacher, and taught at the Paris Conservatory for many years. One of Février's most famous works is his ballet, La Danse des Oiseaux. The ballet was commissioned by the Paris Opera Ballet and premiered in 1956. The work was inspired by the music of birds, and features a complex score that incorporates bird calls and other natural sounds. The ballet was a critical and commercial success, and remains one of Février's most popular works. Février's music continued to evolve throughout his career. In the 1960s, he began to incorporate elements of serialism and other avant-garde techniques into his compositions. He also experimented with electronic music, and composed several works for tape and synthesizer. Despite his many accomplishments, Février remained a relatively private figure throughout his life. He rarely gave interviews or made public appearances, and preferred to let his music speak for itself. Février died in 2007 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important French composers of the 20th century.

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