Born on 27 January 1928, Jean-Michel Damase composes in a style often compared to Fauré, Poulenc, Ravel, Prokofiev, Roussel, and Stravinsky; incorporating many of the rhythmic and harmonic complexities associated with twentieth-century French music. Throughout his career, Damase has remained a traditionalist, "continuing the post-tonal line of Debussy and Ravel without the modish interest in their deeper-seated implications."* Or, in the composers own words, "I prefer sincerity to forced innovation." His music is accessible without being lightweight; unabashedly melodic, with a distinct delight in "obsessive" motifs; tonal, though, paradoxically, harmonically complex; rhythmically surprising; playful; respectful of tradition and form; and always superbly crafted.
In spite of his works’ obvious and readily appreciated merits, too few are familiar with Jean-Michel Damase. Because very little information is available about the composer and his works, I created this site to assemble as much of it as possible and share it with others.
My goal is to encourage those who are not yet familiar with Damase to seek out his very rewarding music. If you are fortunate enough to have enjoyed hearing or performing Damase’s works, I hope I can provide some useful information about discovering more.
I welcome your comments, corrections and additions. Please send information to:
Michael Lasser
chezdamase@gmail.com
*The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1st Edition
Upcoming Events
Les Fleurons de l'Entreprise Musicienne de l'École Normale de Musique de Paris, the musical organisation founded by pianist Françoise PARROT-HANLET, a champion of Damase's work, celebrates it's tenth anniversary with a free concert attended by Jean-Michel Damase. The program consists of works by Chopin, Shostakovich, Franck, Villa-Lobos, Hahn, and, of course, Damase.
Françoise PARROT-HANLET et la Troupe des Fleurons de de l'Entreprise Musicienne
12:30PM
Tuesday, 23rd March 2010
Salle CORTOT
78 rue Cardinet
75017 Paris
World Premiere Recordings
Rhapsodie: Fantasie: Poème
Music for Horn and Orchestra
Ben Jacks (horn)
Barry Tuckwell (conductor)
Orchestra Victoria | The Queensland Orchestra
Melba Recordings | MR301117
"[A] fantastic release of music for horn and orchestra.... [T]he most rewarding and significant factor here is the presence of two first recordings of concertante works for French horn by the inimitable Frenchman Jean-Michel Damase.... This is a winner - and a keeper!"
Fanfare Magazine (August 2009)
Melba Recordings release world première recordings of Damase's Rhapsodie for Horn and Orchestra and Concerto for Horn and Orchestra. Here are notes about the release from the label:
An exciting recording of French and Australian works for French horn and orchestra featuring acclaimed horn soloist, Ben Jacks with Orchestra Victoria and The Queensland Orchestra conducted by Barry Tuckwell, the greatest brass player of his generation.
The title track Rhapsodie, by contemporary French composer, Jean-Michel Damase was commissioned by the famous satirist Barry Humphries for Barry Tuckwell and was first performed by him as soloist in 1987. This is the world premiere recording of this work.
The CD is available directly from
or through
.
Historic Recording by Jean-Pierre Rampal
Jean-Pierre Rampal & Aurèle Nicolet
Premiers Horizons 070.134/135
Admirers of Damase may know the première recording on LP by Jean-Pierre Rampal of the Sérénade for flute and string orchestra. After many years out of print, a previously unreleased radio recording of the work is now available thanks to the Association Jean-Pierre Rampal with the release of the double CD Jean-Pierre Rampal & Aurèle Nicolet.
The Association have already released many of the recorded works of Rampal. Their great work continues with this release, featuring rare previously unreleased live and radio recordings by both Rampal and Aurèle Nicolet as well as others by world renown flutists like Aurèle Nicolet. The complete tracklisting is:
CD 1
Unpublished radio recordings
Frank MARTIN / Sonata da chiesa for flute and strings (rec. 05/02/63)
Willy BURKHARD / Canzone Op. 76 for flute, oboe and low strings (rec. 02/11/61)
Peter MIEG / Concerto for flute and strings (rec. 13/11/64)
Henri DUTILLEUX / Sonatina for flute and piano (rec. 29/04/54)*
Jean-Michel DAMASE / Sérénade Op. 36 for flute and strings (rec. 24/05/62)*
Aurèle Nicolet, flute - Jean-Pierre Rampal, flute (*)
Heinz Holliger, oboe - Annie d'Arco, piano
Saar Broadcasting System Chamber Orchestra, Karl Ristenpart
CD 2
Live recordings
* : Karlsruhe, 1967 • ** : Karlsruhe, 1968 • *** : Ludwigsburg, 1985
Johann Sebastian BACH / Sonatas BWV 1036 and 1039 for 2 flutes & continuo*
Johann Sebastian BACH / Sonata BWV 1037 for 2 flutes & continuo**
Georg Friedrich HÄNDEL / Sonata Op. 2 n° 3 (excerpt) for 2 flutes & continuo**
Joseph HAYDN / 4 Divertimenti Hob IV:1-4 (“London Trios”) for 2 flutes and bassoon***
Wolfgang-Amadeus MOZART / Duet for 2 flutes, from The Magic Flute ***
Jean-Pierre Rampal & Aurèle Nicolet, flutes
Edith Picht-Axenfeld, harpsichord - Mechthild Wagner, violoncello*
Klaus Thunemann, bassoon** - Tomasz Sosnowski, bassoon***
The deluxe package includes extensive and illuminating liner notes in French, English, and German. In the USA, one many purchase the recording from fluteworld.com or contact the Association Rampal directly at contact@jprampal.com
Events
Chez DAMASE would like to recognize the tremendous work of Françoise PARROT-HANLET who has championed and promoted the music of Damase, including organizing and performing in a series of concerts in celebration of the composer's eightieth birthday, 80 ans de Jean-Michel DAMASE.
The events included the European premiere of Variations sur un thème de Mozart for two pianos and string orchestra, in an arrangement for three pianos, a stunning performance by Parrot-Hanlet as soloist with members of the La Troupe des Fleurons de l'Entreprise Musicienne in Rhapsodie de Printemps for piano and orchestra arranged for two pianos, as well as Quatre à Quatre for clarinet quartet, Prières sans paroles for trumpet and piano, and a performance of Mirage for piano four hands with the composer himself. To learn more about Mme Parrot-Hanlet and the Cercle Fleurons click here.