André Gedalge


André Gedalge was an influential French composer and teacher.

Biography

André Gedalge was born at 75 rue des Saints-Pères in Paris where he first worked as a bookseller and editor, specialising in livres de prix for public schools. During this time he published books by Marie Laubot and Edmond About for the Librairie Gedalge.
In 1886, at the age of 28, he entered the Conservatoire de Paris. In that same year he won the Second Prix de Rome. He studied under Ernest Guiraud, professor of counterpoint and fugue, who had also been Jules Massenet's teacher.
In 1891, Gedalge composed the score for Le Petit Savoyard, a pantomime in four acts performed at the Théâtre des Nouveautés. In 1895, Pris au Piège was awarded the Prix Cressant. In June 1900, his one act ballet Phoebé debuted at the Opéra-Comique. He composed Quatuor d'archet, Les Vaux de Vire, children's songs, and three symphonies. These illustrated the proud motto that he followed: "Neither literature, nor painting", which defined "pure music". His Third Symphony in F Major and his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra were considered masterpieces of French music.
In the years before World War I, Gedalge served as mayor of Chessy, Seine-et-Marne, where he later died and was buried.

Teaching

He influenced many students of music.
He also wrote instructional works for students: Traité de la fugue and L'Enseignement de la Musique par l'éducation de l'oreille. He was relatively modest and, as such, did not garner a large reputation as an individual musician, but he greatly benefited from the wide recognition of his students. On the day after his death, it was written:
"He gave to his students the best part of himself: the knowledge, the understanding of man and the supreme gift that is goodness. It was sufficient that he had been poor and worthy of the name of musician for that he counselled, taught, and gave affectionate welcome not only to his class, but in the intimacy of his dwelling."

Selected works

Operas

A fourth symphony in A major was left unfinished.

Chamber works

Also works for piano, piano and voice, a requiem and other choral works.

Writings