Serge Collot
Encyclopedia
Serge Collot is a French
violist
and music educator.
with Maurice Vieux
, chamber music
with Joseph Calvet, and composition
with Maurice Hewitt and Arthur Honegger
. He won first prizes in viola (1944) and chamber music (1949).
Collot has been a member of Parrenin Quartet, Radiodiffusion Française
String Quartet, and Bernède Quartet. In 1960 he founded Le Trio à Cordes Français with violinist Gérard Jarry and cellist Michel Tournus. The ensemble performed together for 32 years. From 1957 to 1986 he was Principal Violist with the Orchestra of the Paris Opera
.
Collot served as Professor of Viola for twenty years (1969–1989) at the Conservatoire de Paris. Many contemporary violists have been his students: Pierre-Henri Xuereb, Jean Sulem
(who succeeded him at the Conservatoire in 1989), Emile Cantor, Jacques Borsarello, Laurent Verney, Jean-Paul Minali Bella.
An exponent of contemporary music, Collot performed in Pierre Boulez
's Domaine Musical concerts until 1970 and has inspired many compositions for viola including Quatre Duos for viola and piano (1979) by Betsy Jolas
and, in particular, the Sequenza VI for viola solo (1967) by Luciano Berio
. He has performed and lectured internationally and has served on juries of music competitions including those in Geneva
and Munich
.
Collot was awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1989. His life was the subject of a 2002 documentary film entitled L'ouvrage de Serge Collot and directed by Dominique Pernoo.
Collet plays a 1741 viola by David Tecchler
once owned and played by Théophile Laforge
.
Chamber music
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...
violist
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and music educator.
Biography
Collot studied viola at the Conservatoire de ParisConservatoire de Paris
The 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...
with Maurice Vieux
Maurice Vieux
Maurice Edgard Vieux was a French violist whose teaching at the Conservatoire de Paris plays a key role in the history of the viola in France....
, chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
with Joseph Calvet, and 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 :...
with Maurice Hewitt 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...
. He won first prizes in viola (1944) and chamber music (1949).
Collot has been a member of Parrenin Quartet, Radiodiffusion Française
Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française
Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française was the French national public broadcasting organization established on 9 February 1949 to replace the post-war "Radiodiffusion Française" , which had been founded in 1945...
String Quartet, and Bernède Quartet. In 1960 he founded Le Trio à Cordes Français with violinist Gérard Jarry and cellist Michel Tournus. The ensemble performed together for 32 years. From 1957 to 1986 he was Principal Violist with the Orchestra of the Paris Opera
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is the primary opera company of Paris, France. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV as the Académie d'Opéra and shortly thereafter was placed under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Lully and renamed the Académie Royale de Musique...
.
Collot served as Professor of Viola for twenty years (1969–1989) at the Conservatoire de Paris. Many contemporary violists have been his students: Pierre-Henri Xuereb, Jean Sulem
Jean Sulem
Jean Sulem is a French concert violist and teacher born in 1959. He has studied in the Paris Conservatoire with Serge Collot. He has played in the "Ensemble Contemporain" directed by Pierre Boulez. He is a founder member of the Rosamunde Quartet...
(who succeeded him at the Conservatoire in 1989), Emile Cantor, Jacques Borsarello, Laurent Verney, Jean-Paul Minali Bella.
An exponent of contemporary music, Collot performed in Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
's Domaine Musical concerts until 1970 and has inspired many compositions for viola including Quatre Duos for viola and piano (1979) by Betsy Jolas
Betsy Jolas
Betsy Jolas is a French composer.Betsy Jolas was born in Paris. Resident in the United States from 1940 until 1946, she studied composition with Paul Boepple and piano with Helen Schnabel. On her return to France she continued her studies with Simone Plé-Caussade, Darius Milhaud and Olivier...
and, in particular, the Sequenza VI for viola solo (1967) by Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
. He has performed and lectured internationally and has served on juries of music competitions including those in Geneva
Geneva International Music Competition
The Geneva International Music Competition is a music competitions held in Geneva, founded in 1939 in the Geneva Conservatory for a wide variety of instruments, voice, conducting, and chamber music.-See also:* List of classical music competitions* World Federation of International Music...
and Munich
ARD International Music Competition
The ARD International Music Competition is the largest international classical music competition in Germany. It is held once a year in Munich.-History:...
.
Collot was awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1989. His life was the subject of a 2002 documentary film entitled L'ouvrage de Serge Collot and directed by Dominique Pernoo.
Collet plays a 1741 viola by David Tecchler
David Tecchler
David Tecchler was an Austrian luthier, best known for his cellos and double basses.Tecchler was born in Salzburg, Austria, where he worked for a time. He also lived and worked in Venice and in Rome, Italy...
once owned and played by Théophile Laforge
Théophile Laforge
Théophile Édouard Laforge was a French violist and first professor of viola at the Conservatoire de Paris....
.
Discography
Viola- Art of the Viola – Serge Collot (viola); Keiko Toyama (piano); Aurèle NicoletAurèle NicoletAurèle Nicolet is a Swiss flautist. He is considered as one of the world's best flute players of the late twentieth century. He has performed in various international concerts. A number of composers wrote music especially for him, such composers include Toru Takemitsu, György Ligeti, Krzysztof...
(flute); Ayako Shinozaki (harp); Camerata 462 (1997), Camerata 462 (2002)
-
- Robert SchumannRobert SchumannRobert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
: MärchenbilderMärchenbilder (Schumann)Märchenbilder or Fairy Tale Pictures, for Viola and Piano, Op. 113, was written by Robert Schumann in March 1851. The work is dedicated to the German violinist and conductor Wilhelm Joseph von Wasielewski...
for viola and piano, Op. 113 (1851) - Mikhail GlinkaMikhail GlinkaMikhail Ivanovich Glinka , was the first Russian composer to gain wide recognition within his own country, and is often regarded as the father of Russian classical music...
: Sonata in D minor for viola and piano - 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...
: Sonata for flute, viola and harp (1915) - Darius MilhaudDarius MilhaudDarius Milhaud was a French composer and teacher. He was a member of Les Six—also known as The Group of Six—and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions are influenced by jazz and make use of polytonality...
: Sonata No. 2 for viola and piano, Op. 244 (1944)- Contemporary Viola – Serge Collot (viola); Adés 16.002 (1970s)
- Luciano BerioLuciano BerioLuciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
: Sequenza VI for viola solo - André JolivetAndré JolivetAndré Jolivet was a French composer. Known for his devotion to French culture and musical thought, Jolivet's music draws on his interest in acoustics and atonality as well as both ancient and modern influences in music, particularly on instruments used in ancient times...
: 5 Églogues for viola solo - Paul HindemithPaul HindemithPaul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
: Sonata for viola solo, Op. 25 No. 1- Betsy JolasBetsy JolasBetsy Jolas is a French composer.Betsy Jolas was born in Paris. Resident in the United States from 1940 until 1946, she studied composition with Paul Boepple and piano with Helen Schnabel. On her return to France she continued her studies with Simone Plé-Caussade, Darius Milhaud and Olivier...
: Points d'aube for viola and 13 wind instruments; Serge Collot (viola); Marius Constant (conductor); Ensemble Ars Nova; Adés 205 762 (1978, 1996) - André JolivetAndré JolivetAndré Jolivet was a French composer. Known for his devotion to French culture and musical thought, Jolivet's music draws on his interest in acoustics and atonality as well as both ancient and modern influences in music, particularly on instruments used in ancient times...
: Concertos and Chamber Works – 5 églogues for viola solo; Serge Collot (viola); Accord 476 7783 (2005) - Robert SchumannRobert SchumannRobert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
: Contes de Fées (Fairy Tales) – Serge Collot (viola); Béatrice Berne (clarinet); Julie Guigue (piano); Polymnie POL 390 231
- Betsy Jolas
- MärchenbilderMärchenbilder (Schumann)Märchenbilder or Fairy Tale Pictures, for Viola and Piano, Op. 113, was written by Robert Schumann in March 1851. The work is dedicated to the German violinist and conductor Wilhelm Joseph von Wasielewski...
for viola and piano, Op. 113 (1851) - Märchenerzählungen for clarinet, viola and piano, Op. 132 (1853)
- Robert Schumann
Chamber music
- Jacques IbertJacques IbertJacques François Antoine Ibert was a French composer. Having studied music from an early age, he studied at the Paris Conservatoire and won its top prize, the Prix de Rome at his first attempt, despite studies interrupted by his service in World War I.Ibert pursued a successful composing career,...
(1890–1962) – String Quartet (1937–1942); Quatuor Parrenin; Ades 20346 (1990) - Shin'ichirō Ikebe: Lion – Camerata 270 (1999)
-
- Quinquevalence for violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano (1991); Takumi Kubota (violin); Serge Collot (viola); Masaharu Kanda (cello); Yoshio Nagashima (double bass); Tomoko Mukaiyama (piano)
- Strata I for string quartet (1988); Mitsuko Ishii, Hiroaki Ozeki (violins); Serge Collot (viola); Masaharu Kanda (cello)
- Teizo MatsumuraTeizo MatsumuraTeizo Matsumura was a Japanese composer and poet.Orphaned and suffering from tuberculosis, during his recovery in the early 1950s he began to write both haiku and music. He studied with Tomojiro Ikenouchi. He was influenced by Ravel and Stravinsky, but also Asian traditions...
: Courtyard of Apsaras – String Quartet (1996) – Sonoko Numata, Saschko Gawriloff (violins); Serge Collot (viola); Christoph Henkel (cello); Camerata 617 (2001) - Georges Onslow: String Quartet, Op. 8 No. 1; String Quintet, Op. 78 No. 1 – Gérard Jarry; Yvon Caracilly; Serge Collot; Bruno Pasquier; Michel Tournus
- Teizo Matsumura
Sources
- Riley, Maurice W. (1991), "Brief Biographies of Violists", The History of the Viola, Volume II, Ann Arbor, Michigan: Braun-Brumfield, p. 371.