Alfred Désenclos
Encyclopedia
Alfred Desenclos was a French
composer
of (modern) classical
music. Desenclos was a self-described "romantic" whose music is highly expressive and atmospheric and rooted in rigorous compositional technique.
To support his family Desenclos had to renounce continuing his general studies and work as an industrial designer until the age of 20, but in 1929 he entered the Conservatory in Roubaix
, France
, to study piano
. Until that time he had played only as an amateur.
His sacred music belongs to the tradition begun by Saint-Saëns
and continued by Fauré
. He won the Prix de Rome
in 1942.
Desenclos's Messe de requiem was written in 1963 and published by Durand et Fils in 1967. In 1999 the piece was reprinted under the name of Atlanta-based composer Tristan Foison. Foison's mass was given its "American premiere" on 18 May 1999 in a performance by the Capitol Hill Chorale - but soon after the piece was discovered to be a note-for-note duplicate of Desenclos's.http://www.requiemsurvey.org/composers.php?id=256
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
of (modern) classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
music. Desenclos was a self-described "romantic" whose music is highly expressive and atmospheric and rooted in rigorous compositional technique.
To support his family Desenclos had to renounce continuing his general studies and work as an industrial designer until the age of 20, but in 1929 he entered the Conservatory in Roubaix
Roubaix
Roubaix is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is located between the cities of Lille and Tourcoing.The Gare de Roubaix railway station offers connections to Lille, Tourcoing, Antwerp, Ostend and Paris.-Culture:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, to study piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. Until that time he had played only as an amateur.
His sacred music belongs to the tradition begun by Saint-Saëns
Camille Saint-Saëns
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns was a French Late-Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He is known especially for The Carnival of the Animals, Danse macabre, Samson and Delilah, Piano Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and his Symphony...
and continued by Fauré
Faure
Faure or Fauré is a French family name and may refer to:People:* Edgar Faure, French politician* Élie Faure, French art historian and essayist* Émile Alphonse Faure, lead battery pioneer* Cédric Fauré, French football striker...
. He won the Prix de Rome
Prix de Rome
The Prix de Rome was a scholarship for arts students, principally of painting, sculpture, and architecture. It was created, initially for painters and sculptors, in 1663 in France during the reign of Louis XIV. It was an annual bursary for promising artists having proved their talents by...
in 1942.
Desenclos's Messe de requiem was written in 1963 and published by Durand et Fils in 1967. In 1999 the piece was reprinted under the name of Atlanta-based composer Tristan Foison. Foison's mass was given its "American premiere" on 18 May 1999 in a performance by the Capitol Hill Chorale - but soon after the piece was discovered to be a note-for-note duplicate of Desenclos's.http://www.requiemsurvey.org/composers.php?id=256
Compositions
- Aria & Rondo (double bass and piano)
- Bucoliques (flute and piano)
- Cantilene et divertissements (French horn and piano)
- Fantaisie (harpHarpThe harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
solo) - Incantation, threne et danse (trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and orchestra) - Messe de requiem
- Nos autem (SSATBB a cappella)
- Plain-Chant et allegretto (tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
and piano) - Preludes (need instrumentation)
- Preambule, complainte et final (French horn and piano)
- Prélude, cadence et finale (alto saxophoneAlto saxophoneThe alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
and piano)- In 1997 this piece was arranged for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra by Russell Peterson
- In 1999, this piece was arranged for Alto Saxophone and Winds by Donald Patterson and performed by Miles Smith with "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. The arrangement is available for rental from Theodore Presser Company.
- in 2007 this piece was arranged for Alto Saxophone and small wind band by the Dutch saxophone player Karl Veen. However, the ensemble parts of this edition contain mistakes.
- Quatuor (saxophone quartet)
- Salve Regina (SATB chorus)
- Suite breve (piano solo)
Selected recordings
- Joël Suhubiette, direction, Les Elements: Desenclos: Requiem (Éditions Hortus, HORT009).