Gerard Masson

Full biography Gerard Masson

Grard Masson was a French composer born on August 12, 1936, in Paris. He was known for his compositions that included a variety of instruments and styles and he had a prolific career, which included working with many important musicians. Masson studied music at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied composition with Maurice Durufle, conducting with Georges Tzipine, and piano with Germaine Mounier. He also studied musicology at the Sorbonne.

Masson composed for a variety of different ensembles, including solo instruments, chamber music, and orchestral works. He was a proponent of musique concrète, an approach to music composition that utilized recordings of natural sounds, abstract sounds, and spoken language. He was also known for his experimental approach to music, which included exploring new forms and tonalities.

Aside from his work as a composer, Masson was also known for his work as a teacher. He taught music theory and composition at the Paris Conservatory, as well as at other institutions, including the National Conservatory of Avignon and the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau. Masson passed away on July 14, 2013, in Paris at the age of 76. His legacy as a composer and teacher continues to influence the world of contemporary music.