Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

France

Birth

:

September 4, 1892 in Aix-en-Provence, France

Death

:

June 22, 1974 in Geneva, Switzerland

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Darius Milhaud was a French composer and teacher who was born on September 4, 1892, in Marseille, France. He was the youngest of four children born to a Jewish family. His father was a merchant, and his mother was a pianist who gave him his first music lessons. Milhaud showed an early interest in music and began composing at the age of 12. Milhaud studied at the Paris Conservatory, where he was a student of Charles Widor and Vincent d'Indy. He also studied with Paul Dukas and Maurice Ravel. Milhaud was part of a group of young composers known as Les Six, who were active in Paris in the 1920s. The group included Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger, Germaine Tailleferre, and Francis Poulenc. Milhaud's music was influenced by jazz, Brazilian music, and the music of the Jewish synagogue. He was also interested in the music of other cultures, and he traveled extensively throughout his life. Milhaud's music is characterized by its rhythmic vitality, colorful harmonies, and use of polytonality. Milhaud's early works include the ballet L'Homme et son désir (The Man and His Desire), which was premiered in 1918. The ballet was a collaboration with the poet Paul Claudel, and it was notable for its use of polytonality and its incorporation of African rhythms. Milhaud's other early works include the Suite for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano, Op. 157b, and the String Quartet No. 1, Op. 5. In the 1920s, Milhaud became associated with the group of composers known as Les Six. The group was known for its rejection of the Romantic tradition and its embrace of new musical styles. Milhaud's works from this period include the ballet La Création du monde (The Creation of the World), which was premiered in 1923. The ballet was inspired by African mythology and featured jazz-influenced music. Milhaud's other works from this period include the Suite Provençale, Op. 152b, and the String Quartet No. 7, Op. 87. Milhaud continued to compose throughout his life, and his later works include the opera Médée (Medea), which was premiered in 1939. The opera was based on the Greek myth of Medea and featured a libretto by the poet Paul Claudel. Milhaud's other works from this period include the Suite Française, Op. 248, and the String Quartet No. 14, Op. 291. In addition to his work as a composer, Milhaud was also a teacher. He taught at Mills College in California from 1940 to 1971, and he also taught at the Paris Conservatory and the Aspen Music Festival. Milhaud's students included Dave Brubeck, Burt Bacharach, and William Bolcom. Milhaud died on June 22, 1974, in Geneva, Switzerland. He was 81 years old. Milhaud's legacy as a composer and teacher continues to be celebrated today. His music is still performed and recorded, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary composers.

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