Composer and musicologist, born in Bar-sur-Aube, EC France. He entered the Conservatoire in 1880 and was a pupil of Bourgault-Ducoudray, whom he later succeeded. He was excluded by Delibes from the competition for the Prix de Rome. He was master of the chapel at Sainte-Clotilde (19047). His Sonate pour clarinette, flûte et piano (1907) is typical of his classical culture. His extraordinary evocative power was deployed with Prométhée Enchaîné (191618) and the lyrical tragedy Salamine, performed in 1929. Awarded Docteur-es-lettres for Essai sur l'Orchestique grècque, his research on extra-oriental modes opened the way for Migot and Messiaen, who were amongst his pupils.
Maurice Emmanuel (May 2, 1862–December 14, 1938) was a French composer of classical music. He wrote a treatise in 1895 on the music of Ancient Greece, and was appointed professor of the history of music at the Paris Conservatoire in 1909. Emmanuel's interests included folksong, Oriental music, and exotic modes — his use of these modes in his compositions had appalled Delibes, who had vetoed his entering for the Prix de Rome.
Other appointments included choirmaster at the church of Sainte-Clotilde from 1904–1907, where Charles Tournemire was organist.
His compositions include operas after Aeschylus Prométhée enchaîné and Salamine as well as symphonies, string quartets and other chamber music. The first draws on the music of Burgundy, the second incorporates birdsong, the third uses a Burgundian folk tune in its finale, the fourth is subtitled en divers modes Hindous ("in various Hindu modes").
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