Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

November 13, 1879 in Paris, France

Death

:

September 21, 1961 in Paris, France

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Maurice Delage was a French composer born on November 13, 1879, in Paris, France. He was the son of a wealthy family and received a privileged education. Delage began his musical studies at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied composition with Charles-Marie Widor and Jules Massenet. He also studied piano with Louis Diémer and harmony with André Gedalge. Delage's early compositions were influenced by the French impressionist movement, particularly the works of Claude Debussy. He was also interested in the music of non-Western cultures, particularly the music of India and Indonesia. In 1901, Delage traveled to India, where he studied Indian music and culture. This experience had a profound impact on his music, and he incorporated Indian musical elements into many of his compositions. Delage's first major work was his String Quartet, which he composed in 1904. The piece was well-received and established Delage as a promising young composer. In 1905, he composed his first orchestral work, the Poème des montagnes, which was inspired by his travels in the Himalayas. In 1906, Delage met the French poet Paul Claudel, with whom he would collaborate on several works. Their first collaboration was the song cycle Quatre poèmes hindous, which was based on Indian poetry and featured Indian musical elements. The cycle was premiered in 1910 and was a critical success. Delage continued to explore non-Western musical traditions in his compositions. In 1912, he composed the ballet La mort du nombre, which was inspired by Indonesian gamelan music. The ballet was not well-received at its premiere, but it has since been recognized as an important work in the development of modern dance. During World War I, Delage served in the French army and was wounded in battle. After the war, he continued to compose and collaborate with Paul Claudel. In 1920, they premiered their opera L'homme et son désir, which was based on a play by Claudel. The opera was a critical success and established Delage as a major composer. In the 1920s, Delage continued to explore non-Western musical traditions in his compositions. He composed several works based on Indian poetry, including the song cycle Quatre poèmes hindous, which he revised and expanded in 1922. He also composed the ballet Les heures claires, which was inspired by Japanese music and culture. Delage's later works were more traditional in style, but he continued to incorporate non-Western musical elements into his compositions. In 1931, he composed his last major work, the opera Sarabande, which was based on a play by Paul Claudel. The opera was not well-received at its premiere, and Delage was disappointed by its lack of success. Maurice Delage died on September 21, 1961, in Antibes, France. He is remembered as a pioneering composer who incorporated non-Western musical traditions into his compositions. His works continue to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world.

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