Jean Roger-Ducasse

Full biography Jean Roger-Ducasse

Jean Jules Aimable Roger-Ducasse was a French composer born on April 18 , 1873, in Bordeaux, France. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris under notable composers such as Gabriel Fauré and Eugène Gigout.

Roger-Ducasse wrote music in various classical forms, including chamber music, vocal music, orchestral music, and piano music. His early compositions were influenced by the Romantic style, but he later moved towards a more modernist approach. He was particularly interested in the works of Debussy and the Impressionist movement.

Despite being a highly skilled and respected composer during his lifetime, Jean Roger-Ducasse's music has since faded into relative obscurity. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in his works, with releases of his music on CD, such as "Jean Roger-Ducasse: Piano Works" and "The Complete Piano Music of Jean Roger-Ducasse."

As an experienced orchestrator, Roger-Ducasse also collaborated with prominent composers of his time, such as Claude Debussy, Nadia Boulanger, and Jean Cocteau. He was a close friend and colleague of Debussy, who entrusted him with the orchestration of his "Rhapsodie for Orchestra and Saxophone."

Overall, Jean Roger-Ducasse was a skilled and versatile composer who made significant contributions to the classical music scene in early 20th century France. Although he may not be as well-known as some of his contemporaries, his music remains an important part of the classical repertoire.