Polyeucte, by Paul Dukas. David Procházka, the University of Akron
The University of Akron From the SelectedWorks of David Procházka 2018 Polyeucte, by Paul Dukas. David Procházka, The University of Akron Available at: https://works.bepress.com/david-prochazka/1/ Paul Dukas (b. Paris, 1 October 1865 - d. Paris, 17 May 1935) Polyeucte Overturefor orchestra ( 1891 ) Preface Paul Abraham Dukas was a French musician who worked as a critic, composer, editor, teacher, and inspector of music institutions across France. He was the middle of three children. His mother was a pianist, and his father was a banker. The familywas of Jewish descent, but seemed to focus more on thecultural life of Paris than on religious matters. Show ing some musical talent in his adolescence, Dukas' fatherencouraged him to enroll in the Conservatoire de Paris, which he did at the age of 16. It was here that Dukas began a life-long friendshipwith Claude Debussy, who was three years his senior. While Dukas was moderately successfulas a student, the crowning Prix de Rome eluded him in four successive years. In 1886 and 1887, he did not reach the finals; in 1888 he submitted the cantata Vel/eda, and in 1889 he offeredthe cantata Semele, neither of which were chosen as the winning composition. Discouraged, Dukas leftthe Conservatoire to fulfill his military service. He returnedto Paris and began a dual career as critic and composer in 1891. With time, Dukas also became a music editor, working on modem editions of works by Rameau, Couperin, Scarlatti, and Beethoven. He returnedto the Conservatoireto teach orchestration ( 1910-1913) and composition (beginning in 1928); he also taught at the Ecole Nonnale.
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