Rhené-Baton
Encyclopedia
René-Emmanuel Baton, known as Rhené-Baton, (5 September 1879 - 23 September 1940), was a French conductor and composer. Though born in Courseulles-sur-Mer
, Normandy
, his family originated in Vitré
in nearby Brittany
. He returned to the region at the age of 19, and many of his compositions express his love of the area. He also had close relationships with composers of the Breton cultural renaissance, notably Guy Ropartz, Paul Le Flem
, Paul Ladmirault
and Louis Aubert
. As a conductor he was notable for his attempts to expand appreciation of classical music.
. He began his career as a chef de chant at the Opera-Comique in 1907. He was then appointed as musical director of various orchestral groups, notably the Society of Saint Cecilia in Bordeaux and Angers Société populaire (1910–1912).
In 1910 he was chosen to head the "Festival of French music" in Munich
in Germany. Serge Diaghilev requested that he conduct the Ballets Russes
in London and South America (1912–1913). During World War I
he was the head of the Dutch Royal Opera (1916–1918) and held summer concerts of the Orchestra in Residence of the Hague in Scheveningen (1914–1919).
Serge Sandberg entrusted him with the direction of the Pasdeloup concert (the French "Proms") the mission of which was to democratize access to music, providing commentary and analysis prior to the performance of works. He organized this event until 1932, and continued to lead the orchestra until the end of his life. He died on 23 September 1940, at Le Mans
.
Albert Roussel
dedicated to him his 2nd Symphony (1923), and Arthur Honegger
Le Chant de Nigamon (1918).
. Breton subjects appear frequently in his works, such as "Au pardon de Rumengol", "En Bretagne", "Vieille chapelle en Cornouaille". He also set to music the poems of Auguste Brizeux (Le Clocher) and Louis Tiercelin
(Chansons bretonnes). Some of his works were influenced by the vogue for orientalism
at the time.
Courseulles-sur-Mer
Courseulles-sur-Mer is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.It is a popular tourist destination not only with locals but also with international visitors who come to tour the Normandy landing beaches...
, Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, his family originated in Vitré
Vitré, Ille-et-Vilaine
Vitré is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany in north-western France.Vitré, a sub-prefecture until 1926, is the seat of a canton of around 17,000 inhabitants . It lies on the edge of Brittany, near Normandy, Maine, and Anjou...
in nearby Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. He returned to the region at the age of 19, and many of his compositions express his love of the area. He also had close relationships with composers of the Breton cultural renaissance, notably Guy Ropartz, Paul Le Flem
Paul Le Flem
Paul Le Flem was a French composer and music critic. Born in Brittany and living most of his life in Lezardrieux, Le Flem studied at the Schola Cantorum under Vincent d'Indy and Albert Roussel, later teaching at the same establishment, where his pupils included Erik Satie and André Jolivet...
, Paul Ladmirault
Paul Ladmirault
Paul Ladmirault was a French composer whose music expressed his devotion to Brittany.-Life:Ladmirault was born in Nantes. A child prodigy, he learned piano, organ and violin from an early age. At the age of 8, he composed a sonata for violin and piano. At the age of fifteen, when still a student...
and Louis Aubert
Louis Aubert
Louis François Marie Aubert was a French composer.-Biography:Louis Aubert was a child prodigy. His parents, recognizing their son's musical talent, sent him to Paris to receive an education at an early age...
. As a conductor he was notable for his attempts to expand appreciation of classical music.
Conducting career
He studied piano at the Paris Conservatory and learned music theory under André GedalgeAndré 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 specializing in livres de prix for public schools...
. He began his career as a chef de chant at the Opera-Comique in 1907. He was then appointed as musical director of various orchestral groups, notably the Society of Saint Cecilia in Bordeaux and Angers Société populaire (1910–1912).
In 1910 he was chosen to head the "Festival of French music" in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
in Germany. Serge Diaghilev requested that he conduct the Ballets Russes
Ballets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
in London and South America (1912–1913). During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he was the head of the Dutch Royal Opera (1916–1918) and held summer concerts of the Orchestra in Residence of the Hague in Scheveningen (1914–1919).
Serge Sandberg entrusted him with the direction of the Pasdeloup concert (the French "Proms") the mission of which was to democratize access to music, providing commentary and analysis prior to the performance of works. He organized this event until 1932, and continued to lead the orchestra until the end of his life. He died on 23 September 1940, at Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
.
Premieres
He created the first performances of a number of notable musical works:- Habanera by Louis AubertLouis AubertLouis François Marie Aubert was a French composer.-Biography:Louis Aubert was a child prodigy. His parents, recognizing their son's musical talent, sent him to Paris to receive an education at an early age...
(1919) - Printemps by Claude DebussyClaude DebussyClaude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
(1913) - Les Agrestides and the Organ Symphony by Georges MigotGeorges MigotGeorges Migot was a prolific French composer. Though primarily known as a composer, he was also a poet, often integrating his poetry into his compositions, and an accomplished painter...
(1922) - Les Evocations by Albert RousselAlbert RousselAlbert Charles Paul Marie Roussel was a French composer. He spent seven years as a midshipman, turned to music as an adult, and became one of the most prominent French composers of the interwar period...
(1912) - Alborada del gracioso (1919) and Le tombeau de CouperinLe Tombeau de CouperinLe tombeau de Couperin is a suite for solo piano by Maurice Ravel, composed between 1914 and 1917, in six movements. Each movement is dedicated to the memory of friends of the composer who had died fighting in World War I...
by Maurice RavelMaurice RavelJoseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects... - Requiem by Guy Ropartz (1939)
Albert Roussel
Albert Roussel
Albert Charles Paul Marie Roussel was a French composer. He spent seven years as a midshipman, turned to music as an adult, and became one of the most prominent French composers of the interwar period...
dedicated to him his 2nd Symphony (1923), and Arthur Honegger
Arthur Honegger
Arthur Honegger was a Swiss composer, who was born in France and lived a large part of his life in Paris. He was a member of Les six. His most frequently performed work is probably the orchestral work Pacific 231, which is interpreted as imitating the sound of a steam locomotive.-Biography:Born...
Le Chant de Nigamon (1918).
Compositions
Rhené-Baton composed pieces for orchestra, chamber ensembles and a large number of piano works. His 6 Songs for Marycinthe were created at the request of Maurice DuhamelMaurice Duhamel
Maurice Duhamel , was the pen-name of Maurice Bourgeaux, a Breton musician, writer and activist who was a leading figure in Breton nationalism and federalist politics in the years before World War II.-Early life:...
. Breton subjects appear frequently in his works, such as "Au pardon de Rumengol", "En Bretagne", "Vieille chapelle en Cornouaille". He also set to music the poems of Auguste Brizeux (Le Clocher) and Louis Tiercelin
Louis Tiercelin
Louis Tiercelin , was a French writer, poet and playwright associated with the Breton cultural renaissance of the early 20th century....
(Chansons bretonnes). Some of his works were influenced by the vogue for orientalism
Orientalism
Orientalism is a term used for the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West by writers, designers and artists, as well as having other meanings...
at the time.
Symphonic and Operatic
- Variations pour piano et orchestre sur un thème en mode éolien 1904
- Menuet pour Monsieur, frère du roi 1909
- Poème élégiaque pour violon et orchestre 1924
- Danses paysannes 1924
- En vacances 1924
- Pour les funérailles d’un marin breton, pièce symphonique 1925
- Fantaisie orientale, pour violon et orchestre 1926
- Fantaisie orientale 1926
- Musiques de films 1928-29
- Petite suite pour orchestre d’harmonie 1932
Chamber music
- Sonate pour violon et piano n° 1 1921
- Sonate pour piano et violoncelle 1923
- Trio pour piano, violon et violoncelle 1924
- Poème élégiaque, pour piano et violoncelle 1924
- Fantaisie orientale, pour piano et violon 1926
- Sonate pour violon et piano n° 2 1927
- Suite ancienne, pour piano et violon 1933
Keyboard
- Six préludes
- Sérénade fantasque 1901
- En Bretagne, suite de six pièces 1909
- Dans le style rococo 1921
- Ballades 1921-26
- Au pardon de Romengol 1922
- Danses à sept temps 1923
- Album rose 1923
- Bluette pour piano 1923
- Marche des rois mages 1925
- Dans la clairière 1925
- Cortège funèbre d’un Samouraï 1925
- Danse pour Anne de Bretagne 1926
- Danses de la Saint-Jean pays trégorrois 1926
- Vieille chapelle en Cornouaille 1926
- Valse romantique 1927
- Préludes pour piano 1928
- Scherzetto, Pays lointain 1929