French musicians who were born in 1912
Here are 7 famous musicians from France were born in 1912:
Jean Françaix
Jean Françaix (May 23, 1912 Le Mans-September 25, 1997 Paris) also known as Jean Francaix, Françaix, Jean, Jean René Désiré Françaix or Francaix was a French orchestrator, composer, pianist and film score composer. He had one child, Claude Françaix.
His albums include BBC Music, Volume 12, Number 11: Wind Quintets (Galliard Ensemble), , , Harpsichord Concertos, Complete Music for Cello and Piano and Klavierkonzerte. Genres he performed: Ballet, 20th-century classical music and Opera.
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Suzanne Haik Vantoura
Suzanne Haik Vantoura (July 13, 1912 Paris-October 22, 2000) a.k.a. Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura or Haïk-Vantoura, Suzanne was a French , .
musicologist, pianist, and composer. She is known for her pioneering work on deciphering the ancient musical notation system called neumes that was used in the Gregorian Chant. Vantoura spent years studying ancient manuscripts, particularly the Dead Sea Scrolls, to decipher the neumes and understand how the music was sung in ancient times. She devised a method of musical notation that enabled modern musicians to recreate the sound of the ancient chants. Vantoura's work revolutionized the study of Gregorian Chant and influenced the performance of the music around the world. She was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1995 for her contributions to music.
Vantoura's interest in music began at a young age, and she studied at the Paris Conservatory of Music. She also studied with Nadia Boulanger and Charles Koechlin. In addition to her work on deciphering Gregorian chants, Vantoura composed her own music, including an oratorio based on the Book of Revelation. She also performed as a pianist, and recorded several albums of her interpretations of Bach's Goldberg Variations.
Despite her groundbreaking work on neumes, Vantoura's methods and theories were met with controversy and criticism. Some scholars disputed the accuracy of her translations and interpretations of the symbols. However, her impact on the study and performance of Gregorian Chant cannot be denied. Her groundbreaking work opened up new avenues of research and interpretation, and expanded our understanding of the music of the past. Today, many musicians continue to study and perform Gregorian Chant using the methods developed by Suzanne Haik Vantoura.
Throughout her career, Vantoura published several books to promote her discoveries and methods. Her most well-known book is "The Music of the Dead Sea Scrolls", which documents her research and findings on the neumes used in the ancient manuscripts. In addition to her scholarly work, Vantoura also actively performed and recorded her own compositions, as well as works by other composers such as Bach and Mozart. Her recordings of the Goldberg Variations are particularly noteworthy, and are still considered to be some of the best interpretations of the piece.
Vantoura's legacy continues to inspire musicologists, musicians, and scholars around the world. Her contributions to the field of Gregorian Chant have paved the way for further research and understanding of this ancient musical tradition. Despite the challenges and controversies she faced, Vantoura persevered in her pursuit of knowledge and left an indelible mark on the history of music.
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Alfred Desenclos
Alfred Desenclos (February 7, 1912-March 31, 1971 Paris) also known as Alfred Désenclos or Désenclos, Alfred was a French , .
composer and music teacher. He studied at the Paris Conservatory where he won numerous prizes for composition and piano performance. In 1943, he became the director of the École Nationale de Musique in Tulle, France, and later taught composition at the Paris Conservatory until his death. Desenclos is known for his eclectic style that blends elements of traditional tonal harmony with modernist dissonance. He composed works in a variety of genres including symphonies, operas, chamber music, and choral music. One of his most famous compositions is the "Quatuor pour saxophones," a piece for saxophone quartet that has become a staple in the saxophone repertoire. Outside of his music career, Desenclos was also an avid basketball player and for a time played for the French national team.
Desenclos is highly regarded in the world of classical music, and his compositions have been performed by notable orchestras such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. Some of Desenclos' other notable works include "Résonances," "Messe de Requiem," and "Incantation, Thrène et Danse" for trumpet and orchestra. He was awarded several awards throughout his career, such as the Grand Prix de Rome in 1936 and the Prix de la Ville de Paris in 1962. Desenclos was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II, where he used his music to send coded messages. Despite his many achievements, Desenclos' music is still relatively unknown outside of the classical music community.
Desenclos' interest in music began at an early age, and his father, a music teacher, encouraged his love for the art. He started taking piano lessons at the age of six and composed his first piece of music at the age of 14. His style of composition was heavily influenced by his teachers, Nadia Boulanger and Jean Roger-Ducasse. Desenclos' music is characterized by its delicate balance of tonality and atonality, as well as its use of complex rhythms and harmonies.
Despite his success as a composer, Desenclos was a somewhat private person and preferred to let his music speak for itself. He rarely gave interviews or appeared in public, and he was known for his modest and humble nature. Desenclos passed away in 1971 at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful and thought-provoking music. He is remembered today as one of the great composers of the 20th century, and his contributions to the modern classical music canon continue to be celebrated and performed around the world.
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Marcel Camus
Marcel Camus (April 21, 1912 Chappes-January 13, 1982 Paris) was a French film director, television director and screenwriter.
His most recognized albums: .
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Abbé Pierre
Abbé Pierre (August 5, 1912 Lyon-January 22, 2007 Paris) also known as Abbe Pierre was a French chaplain.
His albums include .
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Paul Meurisse
Paul Meurisse (December 21, 1912 Dunkirk-January 19, 1979 Neuilly-sur-Seine) a.k.a. Paul Gustave Pierre Meurisse was a French actor.
He began his career in theater, performing in various productions before transitioning to film. In 1947, Meurisse gained international recognition for his role in the film Les Jeux Sont Faits (The Chips Are Down). He went on to appear in numerous movies throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including Les Diaboliques (1955) and La Grande Vadrouille (1966), which became one of the most popular French comedies of all time. Meurisse was known for his ability to portray complex characters and his commanding presence on screen. He was also a talented stage actor and performed in a number of plays during his career. Meurisse died in 1979 at the age of 66, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's most beloved actors.
In addition to his acting career, Paul Meurisse was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II. He served as a sub-lieutenant and was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943, spending several months in a German prison camp. After his release, he continued to work with the Resistance until the end of the war. Meurisse was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his bravery and service during the war. He was married twice, first to French actress Micheline Alzeari, and later to Swiss actress Françoise Lugagne. Meurisse was also known for his hobby of collecting antique weapons, with his extensive collection being sold at auction after his death.
Meurisse's talent as an actor earned him critical acclaim throughout his career. He received several nominations for the prestigious César Award, including Best Supporting Actor for his role in La Guerre des Boutons (1962). Meurisse was also awarded the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit, for his contributions to the arts.
Despite his success on stage and screen, Meurisse was known to be a private person, rarely giving interviews or sharing details about his personal life. His commitment to his craft and dedication to his country during wartime cemented his legacy as not just a great actor, but also a patriot and hero.
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Alix Combelle
Alix Combelle (June 1, 1912 Paris-March 2, 1978) also known as Combelle, Alix was a French musician and bandleader.
His albums: The Chronological Classics: Alix Combelle 1942-1943, The Chronological Classics: Alix Combelle 1940-1941, The Chronological Classics: Alix Combelle 1935-1940, Dinah / The Sheik of Araby, Crazy Rhythm / The Sheik of Araby and . Genres: Swing music and Continental jazz.
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