René Abjean
Encyclopedia
René Abjean is a French composer associated with Breton
revivalist choral music.
, René Abjean made his début as a musician in the choir of Plouguerneau
in 1953. At age 17, he created his first vocal work as part of a choral group Ar Baganiz, a precursor of the Breton revivalism of An Triskell, for which he made many arrangements. He co-founded the Cercle Breton de Brest, and organised the Festival International des Cornemuses at Brest from 1969.
In 1974, he published a monograph on Breton music, wrote for several journals and contributed the chapter on Breton music in L’Histoire littéraire et culturelle de la Bretagne. In 1975, he took over the leadership of the Ploudalmézeau
choir, and in 1977 of that at Le Folgoët
. These were later reconstituted as the "Ensemble Choral du Bout du Monde", which he led until he passed it to Jo Le Gad in 1988.
In 1977, with Pierre-Yves Moign, he founded "le Centre Breton d’Art Populaire" in Brest, over which he presided from 1979 to 1981; he was also associated with the creation of Radio Bretagne Ouest (Radio Breizh Izel). He was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences
from 1997 to 1999. He was decorated with the Order of the Ermine
. He is married to Marie Kermarec.
, such as the Missa Keltia in 1975, the cantata
s Ar Marc’h Dall in 1979, War Varc’h d’ar Mor in 1987 and Kan evit ar Peoc’h in 1989. He has also arranged sea shanties. He regularly works with the Chœur d’Hommes Mouezh Paotred Breizh, created in 1993 by his friend Jean-Marie Airault. 1999 saw the creation of the cantata Une ville vers la mer to words by Heather Dohollau; in 2000 he wrote with Christian Desbordes a cantata for the millennium, Kalon ar Bed to words by Job an Irien. The cantata Liñvadenn Ker Is was created for the 50th anniversary of the "fédération Kendalc’h". His 2004 cantata for the male choir "Mouezh Paotred Breizh", "Ce Pays vers la mer, Bro ar mor braz, this land and the sea" was recorded in 2005 and distributed by Coop Breizh at Spézet
.
Breton people
The Bretons are an ethnic group located in the region of Brittany in France. They trace much of their heritage to groups of Brythonic speakers who emigrated from southwestern Great Britain in waves from the 3rd to 6th century into the Armorican peninsula, subsequently named Brittany after them.The...
revivalist choral music.
Life
Born in BrestBrest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, René Abjean made his début as a musician in the choir of Plouguerneau
Plouguerneau
Plouguerneau is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-International relations:It is twinned with a number of villages in South East Cornwall, England, including:* St Germans* Tideford-Population:...
in 1953. At age 17, he created his first vocal work as part of a choral group Ar Baganiz, a precursor of the Breton revivalism of An Triskell, for which he made many arrangements. He co-founded the Cercle Breton de Brest, and organised the Festival International des Cornemuses at Brest from 1969.
In 1974, he published a monograph on Breton music, wrote for several journals and contributed the chapter on Breton music in L’Histoire littéraire et culturelle de la Bretagne. In 1975, he took over the leadership of the Ploudalmézeau
Ploudalmézeau
Ploudalmézeau is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France.The village and the small port of Portsall is part of the commune...
choir, and in 1977 of that at Le Folgoët
Le Folgoët
Le Folgoët is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-References:** ;-External links:* *...
. These were later reconstituted as the "Ensemble Choral du Bout du Monde", which he led until he passed it to Jo Le Gad in 1988.
In 1977, with Pierre-Yves Moign, he founded "le Centre Breton d’Art Populaire" in Brest, over which he presided from 1979 to 1981; he was also associated with the creation of Radio Bretagne Ouest (Radio Breizh Izel). He was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences
New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is the third oldest scientific society in the United States. An independent, non-profit organization with more than members in 140 countries, the Academy’s mission is to advance understanding of science and technology...
from 1997 to 1999. He was decorated with the Order of the Ermine
Order of the Ermine
The Order of the Ermine was a chivalric order of the 14th and 15th centuries in the Duchy of Brittany. The ermine is the emblem of Brittany...
. He is married to Marie Kermarec.
Compositions
Abjean has written numerous sacred and secular choral works, often setting the Breton languageBreton language
Breton is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany , France. Breton is a Brythonic language, descended from the Celtic British language brought from Great Britain to Armorica by migrating Britons during the Early Middle Ages. Like the other Brythonic languages, Welsh and Cornish, it is classified as...
, such as the Missa Keltia in 1975, the cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
s Ar Marc’h Dall in 1979, War Varc’h d’ar Mor in 1987 and Kan evit ar Peoc’h in 1989. He has also arranged sea shanties. He regularly works with the Chœur d’Hommes Mouezh Paotred Breizh, created in 1993 by his friend Jean-Marie Airault. 1999 saw the creation of the cantata Une ville vers la mer to words by Heather Dohollau; in 2000 he wrote with Christian Desbordes a cantata for the millennium, Kalon ar Bed to words by Job an Irien. The cantata Liñvadenn Ker Is was created for the 50th anniversary of the "fédération Kendalc’h". His 2004 cantata for the male choir "Mouezh Paotred Breizh", "Ce Pays vers la mer, Bro ar mor braz, this land and the sea" was recorded in 2005 and distributed by Coop Breizh at Spézet
Spézet
Spézet is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Spézet are called Spézetois.-References:** -External links:* *...
.