Short bio Robert-Guillaume Casadesus
Full biography Robert-Guillaume Casadesus
Robert-Guillaume Casadesus was a renowned French composer, pianist, and musicologist, born on April 7, 1899, in Paris, France. He was born into a musical family, and by the age of ten, he had already begun composing pieces. His father and brothers were also accomplished musicians, with his father Henri being a pianist and composer, and his brothers Henri and Marius also being pianists. Robert-Guillaume Casadesus later studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where he won the first prize in piano in 1913.
In addition to his skills as a pianist, Casadesus became established as an innovative composer, fusing traditional classical forms with jazz and other modern influences. He gained recognition for his works, which included pieces for chamber orchestra, solo piano, and choral groups. His compositions were noted for their emotionality, but also for their technical demands that pushed the limits of performers' abilities.
Casadesus was also a prominent musicologist, contributing several articles and books about interpretation, theory, and performance. He was a frequent collaborator with famed conductor Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where they premiered several of his works.
Casadesus passed away on September 19, 1972, but his legacy continues to influence classical music to this day. His contributions to both piano performance and composition have earned him a place in French musical history as one of the most prominent figures of the 20th century.
Compositions featuring Robert-Guillaume Casadesus
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Impromptu for piano, Op. 67/4 | 3:06 min | Keyboard | 1968 |
| 2 | Symphony No. 7 ("Israël"), with choir, Op. 68 | 16:57 min | Symphony | 1967 |
| 3 | Symphony No. 5 ("Sur le nom de Haydn"), Op. 60 | 20:07 min | Symphony | 1959 |
| 4 | Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 56 | 15:14 min | Keyboard | 1957 |
| 5 | Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 53 | 14:40 min | Chamber Music | 1956 |
| 6 | Hommage à Chausson, for violin & piano, Op. 51 | 8:13 min | Chamber Music | 1955 |
| 7 | Variations d'après l'Hommage à Debussy de Manuel de Falla, Op. 47 | 9:18 min | Keyboard | 1951 |
| 8 | Enfantines (6) for piano, Op. 48 | 9:05 min | Keyboard | 1949 |
| 9 | Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 44 | 15:13 min | Keyboard | 1948 |
| 10 | Toccata for piano, Op. 40 | 4:55 min | Keyboard | 1946 |
| 11 | Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 37 | 19:34 min | Concerto | 1944 |
| 12 | Suite for 2 violins ("In Memory of Gabriel Faure"), Op. 39 | 15:10 min | Chamber Music | 1944 |
| 13 | Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 31 | 16:42 min | Keyboard | 1941 |
| 14 | Sonata for violin & piano No. 2, Op. 34 | 17:41 min | Chamber Music | 1941 |
| 15 | String Trio | 15:48 min | Chamber Music | 1938 |
| 16 | Sonata for oboe & piano, Op. 23 | 15:17 min | Chamber Music | 1936 |
| 17 | Sonata for cello & piano, Op. 22 | 15:23 min | Chamber Music | 1935 |
| 18 | Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 19 | 27:04 min | Symphony | 1934 |
| 19 | Concerto for 2 pianos & orchestra, Op. 17 | 19:29 min | Concerto | 1932 |
| 20 | Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 14 | 14:14 min | Keyboard | 1930 |
| 21 | Sonata for violin & piano No. 1, Op. 9 | 10:39 min | Chamber Music | 1927 |
| 22 | Préludes (24) for piano, Op. 5 | 43:47 min | Keyboard | 1924 |
| 23 | Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 6 | 17:51 min | Chamber Music | 1924 |
| 24 | Sonata for flute & piano, Op 18 | 13:02 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 25 | Cappriccio for piano & orchestra, Op. 49 | 19:02 min | Concerto | - |
| 26 | String Quartet No. 1, Op. 13 | 20:16 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 27 | String Quartet No. 2, Op. 29 | 18:47 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 28 | String Quartet No. 3, Op. 46 | 19:55 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 29 | String Quartet No. 4, Op. 55 | 14:54 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 30 | Pieces (2) for bassoon & piano, Op. 61 | 8:57 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 31 | Mediterranean Dances (3) for 2 pianos, Op. 36 | 12:07 min | Keyboard | - |
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