Clémence de Grandval
Encyclopedia
Clémence de Grandval born as Marie Félicie Clémence de Reiset and also known as Vicomtesse de Grandval and Marie Grandval, was a French
composer
of the Romantic era
. She was a person and composer of stature during her life, although less remembered subsequently. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she wrote many pieces for oboe
; and unlike her female contemporaries, she wrote several opera
s. Many of her works were published under pseudonym
s.
, the youngest of four children. Her father was an officer in the Légion d'honneur
and a talented pianist
, while her mother wrote and published stories. Her parents received many composers and artists, including Jean-Baptiste-Philémon de Cuvillon, Auguste-Joseph Franchomme, Louis-Nicolas Cary and Paul Scudo.
At a very young age, she received composition
lessons from composer and family friend Friedrich Flotow. Later she received piano lessons from Chopin. Because her family was wealthy, she was able to compose without worrying about financial considerations. A few years later, she married the Vicomte de Grandval and they had two daughters, Isabelle and Thérèse. She subsequently studied for two years with Camille Saint-Saëns
. Her social position led her to publish several of her pieces under pseudonyms. These included Caroline Blangy, Clémence Valgrand, Maria Felicita de Reiset and Maria Reiset de Tesier.
Her earliest works were sacred and performed in churches, but she went on to write a number of operas and various popular songs and instrumental works, including many pieces for oboe. However, the orchestral scores of some of her pieces have been lost.
During the 1870s, she played a major role in the Société Nationale de Musique
, and was the most played composer in this society. She also gave much money to the organisation. During the second part of the 19th century, she was a very popular composer who was admired by many critics.
She died in Paris
in 1907.
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
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...
of the Romantic era
Romantic music
Romantic music or music in the Romantic Period is a musicological and artistic term referring to a particular period, theory, compositional practice, and canon in Western music history, from 1810 to 1900....
. She was a person and composer of stature during her life, although less remembered subsequently. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she wrote many pieces for oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
; and unlike her female contemporaries, she wrote several opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s. Many of her works were published under pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
s.
Biography
She was born in 1828, into a well-to-do family in the Chateau de la Cour du Bois at Saint-Rémy-des-MontsSaint-Rémy-des-Monts
Saint-Rémy-des-Monts is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France.-References:*...
, the youngest of four children. Her father was an officer in the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
and a talented pianist
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:...
, while her mother wrote and published stories. Her parents received many composers and artists, including Jean-Baptiste-Philémon de Cuvillon, Auguste-Joseph Franchomme, Louis-Nicolas Cary and Paul Scudo.
At a very young age, she received composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
lessons from composer and family friend Friedrich Flotow. Later she received piano lessons from Chopin. Because her family was wealthy, she was able to compose without worrying about financial considerations. A few years later, she married the Vicomte de Grandval and they had two daughters, Isabelle and Thérèse. She subsequently studied for two years with 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...
. Her social position led her to publish several of her pieces under pseudonyms. These included Caroline Blangy, Clémence Valgrand, Maria Felicita de Reiset and Maria Reiset de Tesier.
Her earliest works were sacred and performed in churches, but she went on to write a number of operas and various popular songs and instrumental works, including many pieces for oboe. However, the orchestral scores of some of her pieces have been lost.
During the 1870s, she played a major role in the Société Nationale de Musique
Société Nationale de Musique
The Société Nationale de Musique was founded on February 25, 1871 to promote French music and to allow young composers to present their music in public...
, and was the most played composer in this society. She also gave much money to the organisation. During the second part of the 19th century, she was a very popular composer who was admired by many critics.
She died in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1907.
Opera
- Le sou de Lise (1859)
- Les fiancés de Rosa (1863)
- Piccolino (1869)
- Atala (c. 1888)
- Mazeppa (1892)
Choral
- Mass (1867)
- Stabat mater (1870), cantataCantataA cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
- Sainte-Agnès (1876), oratorioOratorioAn oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
- La fille de Jaïre (1881), oratorio
Chamber
- 2 pieces for clarinetClarinetThe clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
and pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
(1885) - 4 pieces for cor anglaisCor anglaisThe cor anglais , or English horn , is a double-reed woodwind instrument in the oboe family....
and piano
Awards
- 1880: Concour Rossini, for her oratorio La fille de Jaïre.
- 1890: Cartier Prize, Conservatoire de ParisConservatoire de ParisThe 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...
, for her chamber music.