E. Robert Schmitz
Encyclopedia
Elie Robert Schmitz was a Franco-American pianist
and composer
.
Schmitz studied with Louis-Joseph Diémer at the Conservatoire de Paris
where he won First Prize in Piano. He caught the attention of Camille Saint-Saëns
and Vincent D'Indy
while directing the Association Musicale Moderne et Artistique (later renamed L'Association de Concerts Schmitz), which gave the world premiere of Debussy
's Première rhapsodie, Roussel
's Evocations, Le Flem
's Crépuscules d'amour, and Milhaud
's Suite Symphonique. Schmitz lead the Association from 1912 until 1914.
Schmitz toured the United States in 1919, and the following year, founded the Franco-American Music Society in New York. The Society incorporated as Pro Musica in 1923.
Schmitz published a system of piano study, The Capture of Inspiration, in 1935. His book, The Piano works of Claude Debussy, a technical analysis with commentary, was published after his death, in 1950. Schmitz recorded the entire Debussy Preludes, Book I, released in the LP era on the Camden label (CAL-179), a product of Radio Corporation of America. Among his notable pupils was the composer Samuel Dolin
.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and 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...
.
Schmitz studied with Louis-Joseph Diémer at the Conservatoire de Paris
Conservatoire 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...
where he won First Prize in Piano. He caught the attention of Camille 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 Vincent D'Indy
Vincent d'Indy
Vincent d'Indy was a French composer and teacher.-Life:Paul Marie Théodore Vincent d'Indy was born in Paris into an aristocratic family of royalist and Catholic persuasion. He had piano lessons from an early age from his paternal grandmother, who passed him on to Antoine François Marmontel and...
while directing the Association Musicale Moderne et Artistique (later renamed L'Association de Concerts Schmitz), which gave the world premiere of Debussy
Claude Debussy
Claude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
's Première rhapsodie, Roussel
Albert Roussel
Albert Charles Paul Marie Roussel was a French composer. He spent seven years as a midshipman, turned to music as an adult, and became one of the most prominent French composers of the interwar period...
's Evocations, Le Flem
Paul Le Flem
Paul Le Flem was a French composer and music critic. Born in Brittany and living most of his life in Lezardrieux, Le Flem studied at the Schola Cantorum under Vincent d'Indy and Albert Roussel, later teaching at the same establishment, where his pupils included Erik Satie and André Jolivet...
's Crépuscules d'amour, and Milhaud
Darius Milhaud
Darius Milhaud was a French composer and teacher. He was a member of Les Six—also known as The Group of Six—and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions are influenced by jazz and make use of polytonality...
's Suite Symphonique. Schmitz lead the Association from 1912 until 1914.
Schmitz toured the United States in 1919, and the following year, founded the Franco-American Music Society in New York. The Society incorporated as Pro Musica in 1923.
Schmitz published a system of piano study, The Capture of Inspiration, in 1935. His book, The Piano works of Claude Debussy, a technical analysis with commentary, was published after his death, in 1950. Schmitz recorded the entire Debussy Preludes, Book I, released in the LP era on the Camden label (CAL-179), a product of Radio Corporation of America. Among his notable pupils was the composer Samuel Dolin
Samuel Dolin
Samuel Joseph Dolin was a Canadian composer, music educator, and arts administrator. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre and a founding member of the Canadian League of Composers , he served as the CLC's vice president in 1967-1968 and president from 1969-1973...
.