Albéric Magnard
The French composer Albéric Magnard was born on 9 June 1865 in Paris. He was the son of a successful author and editor of Le Figaro, but renounced family connections and wealth for a career in music based only on his talents, which were considerable.
He studied counterpoint at the Paris Conservatoire, attended Jules Massenet's classes and learnt fugue and orchestration with Vincent d'Indy. Magnard's output consists of just over twenty works.
He is believed to have died, aged 49, in a fire at his residence north of Paris on 3 September 1914, whilst defending his estate from German soldiers.
Several unpublished works were lost in the fire, including the orchestral score to the opera Guercoeur, but this was later reconstructed by Magnard's friend and colleague Guy Ropartz, and staged at the Paris Opéra in 1931.
A selection of articles about Albéric Magnard
CD Spotlight. Very Palatable - Geoff Pearce listens to orchestral music by Albéric Magnard. 'The quality of the performances by Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg and conductor Fabrice Bollon is exemplary and complimentary to the work of this minor master.'
CD Spotlight. A Purposeful Vigour - Symphonies by Albéric Magnard impress Patric Standford. '... a notable symphonic architect.'