French musicians who were born in 1906
Here are 9 famous musicians from France were born in 1906:
Claire Delbos
Claire Delbos (November 2, 1906-April 22, 1959) was a French composer.
She was born in Paris and studied at the Paris Conservatory, where she won multiple prizes in music composition. Delbos was also a student of composer and conductor, Charles Koechlin, who greatly influenced her work.
Delbos was known for her style of composition, which incorporated the traditional classical style with her own unique modernist techniques. She often wrote for chamber ensembles and wrote several orchestral works as well.
In 1932, she married the famous French composer Olivier Messiaen, who was also one of her former classmates at the Conservatory. They had two children together and often collaborated on musical projects.
Delbos' musical career was cut short due to her deteriorating mental health, which was exacerbated by the stress of her husband's internment in a prisoner of war camp during World War II. She eventually became institutionalized and spent the rest of her life in a mental hospital. Despite her struggles, she left behind a notable body of work that continues to be studied and performed today.
One of Delbos' most significant works is her Trio for Flute, Violin, and Viola, which was first performed in 1938. The piece showcases Delbos' unique style, which blends neoclassical and modernist techniques. Another notable composition is her String Quartet, which she wrote in 1941 while her husband was in a prisoner of war camp. The piece is a haunting reflection on her personal struggles and the upheaval of the time.
Delbos' legacy was largely overshadowed by that of her husband, but the growing interest in women composers has brought renewed attention to her work. In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on Delbos' life and music, with performances and recordings of her works increasing in popularity. Her music is celebrated for its depth of expression and striking emotional intensity, and it continues to inspire new generations of composers and musicians.
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Maurice Thiriet
Maurice Thiriet (May 2, 1906 Meulan-en-Yvelines-September 28, 1972 Bracquemont) also known as M. Thiriet was a French composer and film score composer.
Throughout his career, Maurice Thiriet delivered music for over 100 films and television series. Some of his most notable works include the renowned French film "La Belle et la Bête" (Beauty and the Beast) which was released in 1946. Thiriet received critical acclaim for his compositions, winning the Grand Prix National de la Musique in 1940, the Prix Musidisc in 1956, and the Prix Maurice Yvain in 1965. Additionally, he served as the head of the music department at the French radio station "Radio France" for several years. Thiriet passed away in 1972 leaving behind a legacy of emotive and captivating music that continues to inspire musicians to this day.
Aside from his work in film and television, Maurice Thiriet also composed for the stage, including the opera "Le chat botté" (Puss in Boots) which premiered in 1935. He also wrote several songs, such as "Chasse à l'homme" and "Tout en flânant" which were popular in the 1930s. Thiriet was one of the pioneers of using electronic music in his compositions, and he experimented with new sounds and techniques to create unique and innovative pieces. He was recognized as one of the leading composers of his time and his works have been praised for their emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Thiriet's music continues to be studied and performed by musicians around the world, and he remains an important figure in the history of French music.
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Jean Sablon
Jean Sablon (March 25, 1906 Nogent-sur-Marne-February 24, 1994 Cannes) was a French singer.
His discography includes: 1933 - 1946, Jean Sablon, Vous qui passez sans me voir, , , The Continental / Miss Otis Regrets, , Je sais que vous etes jolie ! / Par correspondance, and .
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Mireille Hartuch
Mireille Hartuch (September 30, 1906 Paris-December 29, 1996) also known as Mireille was a French singer.
Her albums include Les chansons de Mireille par leurs créateurs, La Douce France Rétro, Intégrale Mireille, Du Caf' Conc' au Music Hall, Volume 7 : Les chansons de Mireille et Jean Nohain and Phi-Phi.
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Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 St. Louis-April 12, 1975 Paris) also known as Freda Josephine McDonald, Black Pearl, Tumpie, Black Venus, Joséphine Baker or Créole Goddess was a French singer, actor, dancer and spy. She had twelve children, Jean-Claude Baker, Aiko Baker, Brahim Baker, Luis Baker, Janot Baker, Koffi Baker, Noël Baker, Moïse Baker, Mara Baker, Stellina Baker, Marianne Baker and Jari Baker.
Discography: The Fabulous Josephine Baker, Josephine Baker, A Portrait of Josephine Baker, Breezin' Along, Josephine Baker (disc 2), Joséphine Baker, Joséphine à Bobino (1975), Bonsoir My Love, Exotique and The Discovery of Jazz. Genres she performed: Cabaret, Music hall and French pop music.
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Pierre Capdevielle
Pierre Capdevielle (February 1, 1906 Paris-July 9, 1969 Bordeaux) was a French film score composer and conductor.
Genres he performed: Opera.
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Michel Emer
Michel Emer (June 19, 1906 Saint Petersburg-November 23, 1984 Neuilly-sur-Seine) a.k.a. Michel Rosenstein or Michael Emer was a French film score composer, composer and songwriter. He had one child, Laurence Emer.
Emer was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia but moved to France at a young age. He began his career in music as a pianist and eventually turned to composing music for films in the 1930s. Emer scored more than 200 films, including "Le Plaisir" (1952) and "The Roots of Heaven" (1958) among others.
In addition to his film work, Emer wrote songs for several well-known French artists, including Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, and Yves Montand. One of his most famous works is "Sous le ciel de Paris," which was popularized by Piaf.
Emer continued to work in the music industry until his death in 1984 at the age of 78. He left behind a legacy of compositions that remain an important part of French music culture.
Emer was known for his ability to craft catchy melodies and his unique understanding of the role of music in film. He was highly sought after by French directors and producers throughout his career because of his skill for creating a perfect musical accompaniment that would enhance the emotions and tone of each scene. Emer was recognized for his contributions to the film industry and was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque in 1953.
Aside from his career in music, Emer was also a co-founder of the French film production company, Balzac Films. He was passionate about the film industry and worked tirelessly to promote French cinema globally.
Emer's influence on French music and film has been significant and lasting. His melodies have become iconic and his contributions have earned him a place in the pantheon of French composers. Today, his music is still enjoyed by millions around the world, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and filmmakers alike.
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Jacques Leguerney
Jacques Leguerney (November 19, 1906-September 10, 1997) a.k.a. Leguerney, Jacques was a French , .
composer, conductor, and pianist known for his art songs and vocal music. He was born in Le Havre, France and showed an early interest in music, studying piano and composition at the Paris Conservatory. Leguerney became a prominent composer in the mid-20th century and was associated with the French school of composition, which emphasized clarity and simplicity of style. His most famous works include his song cycles "Poemes de Paul Fort" and "La Bonne Chanson" as well as his operas "Les commencements" and "Saül le Furieux". Leguerney was also a respected conductor, leading many prominent orchestras throughout Europe. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 90, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the French classical music scene.
In addition to his compositions and conducting work, Jacques Leguerney was also well-known as an accompanist to famous French singers such as Pierre Bernac and Gérard Souzay, helping to showcase his vocal music. He received many accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Grand Prix de Rome in 1936 for his composition "Le Couteau sans lame". Leguerney also served as a professor of harmony and counterpoint at the Paris Conservatory for over 20 years, where he influenced the next generation of French composers. His music continues to be performed and appreciated in France and around the world.
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Jacques Pills
Jacques Pills (January 7, 1906 Tulle-September 12, 1970 Paris) also known as René Jacques Ducos or Jacques Ducos was a French actor. He had one child, Jaqueline Boyer.
Jacques Pills was not just an actor but also a popular French singer in the 1930s and 1940s. He began his career as a cabaret singer before transitioning to film and theater. He often collaborated with his famous wife, French singer and actress Lucienne Boyer, on music and performances. Pills was known for his charming persona and his smooth baritone voice that enchanted audiences. He appeared in over 20 films and many stage productions throughout his career. Jacques Pills passed away in Paris in 1970 at the age of 64.
Pills was born in Tulle, France, in 1906, and grew up in Bordeaux. He began singing professionally in his 20s and quickly gained popularity. His breakout hit, "Chanson pour ma brune," became a classic of French chanson music.
Pills performed in many popular venues of the era, including Moulin Rouge, Casino de Paris, and Olympia. He also starred in a number of French films, including the comedy "Tout va très bien madame la marquise" and the drama "Les Amants de Montparnasse."
Pills met Lucienne Boyer, who was already a famous singer at the time, in the early 1930s. The two fell in love and began to perform together on stage and in films. They became known as the "Golden Couple" of French entertainment and were a beloved duo throughout their career.
After World War II, Pills continued to perform both as a solo artist and with Boyer. He was a versatile performer, equally at home singing romantic ballads or performing comedic skits. His death in 1970 was a great loss to the French entertainment industry, but his legacy as one of the greats of French chanson music lives on.
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