Celebrate birthdays in 2024

► Anton Bruckner (1824-1896), symphonic format

The Austrian composer, author of symphonies of gigantic proportions, is relatively little known to the general music-loving public and has long impressed instrumentalists and listeners with the ambition, grandeur and breadth of his writing, in which we see obvious traces of Wagner.

Bruckner was a mysterious figure, considered sullen and averse to worldly pleasantries, and deeply obsessed with his religious beliefs. He conceived his art as an architect who built a monument in honor of the Most High, to whom he also donated a remarkable body of vocal pieces. His eleven symphonies, which require large orchestral forces, are captivating for the richness of their harmony, the power of their inspiration and, sometimes, their imagination, which is as romantic as it is innovative.

► Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924), elegance and emotion

Gabriel Fauré, whose requiem plays a prominent role in the repertoire of most professional and amateur choirs and illustrates the career of a musician who was born in the mid-19th century but also experienced the aesthetic daring of the first decades of the 20th century. One only has to listen to his wonderful melodies for voice and piano to appreciate how far one has come… By preferring the intimate eloquence of small forms to large symphonic entries, Fauré managed to achieve the refined elegance that we have come to expect from the French Attributing music to connecting it with an emotional intensity that is never morose but infinitely touching. A great seducer, teacher and talented organist, the musician remains one of the most complete and unique in the repertoire.

► Darius Milhaud (1892-1974), the joy of influences

Although (too) not featured on the concert programs, Aix-en-Provence native Darius Milhaud may emerge from purgatory “for the benefit” of the fiftieth anniversary of his death. Secretary to Paul Claudel when the writer was ambassador to Brazil, member of the Group of Six (with Georges Auric (1899-1983), Louis Durey (1888-1979), Arthur Honegger (1892-1955), Francis Poulenc (1899-1963 ) and Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983)), the unclassifiable Milhaud knew how to unsettle as well as seduce with the diversity of his writing: here borrowing from Brazilian traditions or jazz, there more daring experiments that shake up the rules of harmony . Famous for The ox on the roof or The Provencal suite, Milhaud was also the author of numerous operas, which were, however, largely neglected by the theaters. Again: Will 2024 correct this oversight?

► Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), lyrical passion

Here, however, is one of the most famous composers in the world. After his compatriot Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini is the most famous Italian composer, in his country and far beyond. La Bohème, Tosca, Madame Butterfly,Turandot (which remained unfinished at his death) will delight lovers of passionate singing and dazzling orchestration, tapping into emotions and the most ardent feelings.

Her heroines, who often face a tragic fate, are both victims and strong women, men’s playthings and sublime figures. Fascinated by progress, a lover of beautiful cars and the unrepentant Don Juan, Puccini had success in the United States, where he created the first opera western in 1910 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The Maiden of the Westunder the direction of Arturo Toscanini.

► Arnold Schönberg (1874-1951), the revolution in music

A symbol of modernity that revolutionized 20th century music with Alban Berg and Anton Webern still remains inaccessible or off-putting to many music lovers. Will the 150th anniversary of his birth allow his work to be further disseminated among those who are frightened by it? Before this historical break with centuries of tonal music, before the use of the twelve-tone system, there was a post-Romantic Schönberg, the heir to Brahms, whom he deeply admired.

In a Vienna torn between conservatism and avant-garde – in the musical, but also in the visual and literary areas – the author of Moses and Aaron et Moon Pierrot, who was also a painter of powerful inspiration, saw the emergence of danger. He was of Jewish origin and, like so many others, had to leave Europe to settle permanently in the United States.

► Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884), l’amour du pays

But homelands (my country). The title speaks for itself, like the confession of faith of a composer who has become the standard bearer of his country, the Czech Republic. An author of patriotic music that revived the heroic or rather everyday history of Bohemia, Bedřich Smetana was, above all, a melodist of incredible talent, as his extremely famous works prove Moldovaone of the six symphonic poems composed But homelands.

He placed it at the service of the opera, where the arias and the great choral scenes were intended to charm and convince an audience that wanted to hear the celebration of a country gradually liberated from the Austrian yoke. Nowadays it’s delicious and laughing Bride sold, an opera from 1866, was rightly popular with audiences. Even if Smetana’s fortunes still have to be largely consolidated outside the Prague concert halls.