Charles Tanguy
Encyclopedia
Charles Tanguy was a French composer
, french horn player, and music educator. His compositional output consists of several works for solo piano
, numerous sentimental ballad
s, and a number of patriotic songs for the nation of Canada which were published in Le Passe-Temps. It is his patriotic music for which he is most well known, with his songs Canadien toujours! (1907, lyrics by Gaston Leury) and Patrie (1909, poem by Albert Ferland) being his most popular works.
. He began his career playing the french horn in the Pasdeloup Orchestra
and the house orchestra of the Théâtre Lyrique
in Paris. During the Franco-Prussian War
he played in a regimental band, first as a sergeant-bugler and then assuming the role of bandmaster. Following the war he played for the orchestra of the Théâtre-Italien in Paris and worked for a number of orchestras throughout Europe in countries like England, Scotland, Ireland, and Switzerland. He notably was the principal french hornist for the Opéra francais and with them toured to New Orleans in the early years of the 20th century. He was also active as a conductor for a number of French musical societies, both choral and instrumental.
Tanguy was active as a teacher of brass instruments, first working as a faculty member at the Conservatoire de Valenciennes. He was for a number of years the director of the Société chorale de St-Quentin, after which he taught on the faculty of the Conservatoire de Bordeaux
. In 1907 he was appointed an officer of the Académie by the French government. That same year he immigrated to Canada where he worked in Montreal as an instructor in brass instruments, piano, singing, and violin. His notable students included J.-J. Gagnier
and Guillaume Gagnier.
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...
, french horn player, and music educator. His compositional output consists of several works for solo 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...
, numerous sentimental ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s, and a number of patriotic songs for the nation of Canada which were published in Le Passe-Temps. It is his patriotic music for which he is most well known, with his songs Canadien toujours! (1907, lyrics by Gaston Leury) and Patrie (1909, poem by Albert Ferland) being his most popular works.
Life and career
Born in France, Tanguy earned a premier prix in the french horn from both the Académie de Valenciennes and the Conservatoire de ParisConservatoire de Paris
The Conservatoire de Paris is a college of music and dance founded in 1795, now situated in the avenue Jean Jaurès in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, France...
. He began his career playing the french horn in the Pasdeloup Orchestra
Pasdeloup Orchestra
The Pasdeloup Orchestra is the oldest symphony orchestra in France.-History:Founded in 1861 by Jules Pasdeloup with the name Concerts Populaires, it is the oldest orchestra still in existence in Paris...
and the house orchestra of the Théâtre Lyrique
Théâtre Lyrique
The Théâtre Lyrique was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century . The company was founded in 1847 as the Opéra-National by the French composer Adolphe Adam and renamed Théâtre Lyrique in 1852...
in Paris. During the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
he played in a regimental band, first as a sergeant-bugler and then assuming the role of bandmaster. Following the war he played for the orchestra of the Théâtre-Italien in Paris and worked for a number of orchestras throughout Europe in countries like England, Scotland, Ireland, and Switzerland. He notably was the principal french hornist for the Opéra francais and with them toured to New Orleans in the early years of the 20th century. He was also active as a conductor for a number of French musical societies, both choral and instrumental.
Tanguy was active as a teacher of brass instruments, first working as a faculty member at the Conservatoire de Valenciennes. He was for a number of years the director of the Société chorale de St-Quentin, after which he taught on the faculty of the Conservatoire de Bordeaux
Conservatoire de Bordeaux
The Conservatoire de Bordeaux is an arts conservatory that offers higher education in music, dance, and drama in Bordeaux, France. It is one of the leading schools in France for singers and saxophonists. Founded in 1821, the school is operated by the French Ministry of Culture. -Alumni:*Natalie...
. In 1907 he was appointed an officer of the Académie by the French government. That same year he immigrated to Canada where he worked in Montreal as an instructor in brass instruments, piano, singing, and violin. His notable students included J.-J. Gagnier
J.-J. Gagnier
Jean-Josaphat Gagnier was a Canadian conductor, composer, clarinetist, bassoonist, pianist, arts administrator, and music educator. His compositional output mainly consists of works for orchestra and band, although he did write some choral pieces, songs, works for solo piano and organ, some...
and Guillaume Gagnier.