Casanova, André

French composer; b. Paris, Oct. 12, 1919. He studied at the École Normale de Musique in Paris, and also with René Leibowitz. In 1966 he won the Queen Marie-José composition competition and in 1979 the Prix de la Fondation Durand of the French Institut.

Works

DRAMATIC: Opera: La Clé d’Argent (1965); Le Bonheur est dans le Crime (1969); La Coupe d’Or (1970); Dumala (1994–95); La Murmure de la Mer (1997–98). orch.: 4 numbered syms.: No. 1 (1949), No. 2 for Chamber Orch. (1952; Nice, Feb. 20, 1971), No. 3, Dithyrambe, for Tenor and Orch. (1964; Paris, Feb. 13, 1973), and No. 4 for Soprano and Orch. (1992); Ballade for Clarinet and Chamber Orch. (1954–55); Piano Concertino (1958); Notturno (1959); Capriccio for Oboe and Chamber Orch. (1960); Anamorphoses (1961); Violin Concerto (1963); Concerto for Trumpet and Strings (1966); Strophes (1968); Organ Concerto (1972); Épisodes for Violins and Strings (1972); Guitar Concerto (1973); Récitatifs (1973); Idylles (1976); Partita (1979); Sinfonia for Chamber Orch. (1981); Cello Concerto (1982–83); Ein musikalisches Opfer (1984); Rhapsodie concertante for Viola and Chamber Orch. (1987); Piano Concerto (1988–89); Ephemeris (1989); Petite Symphonie for Chamber Orch. (1993); Duo concertant for Oboe, Clarinet, and Chamber Orch. (1993); Stances (1996); Impromptu (1996); Elementa (1997–98); An easy game for Bassoon and Strings (1998); Abrériation for Strings (1998); Instants (1999). chamber: 6 string quartets (1967, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992); Quintet for Piano and Strings (1970); Sextet for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1985); Violin Sonata (1987–88); Quintet for 2 Violins, Viola, and 2 Cellos (1988); 4 Pieces for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1993); Quintet for 2 Violins, 2 Violas, and Cello (1996); Quartet for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1999); piano pieces. VOCAL: Cavalier seul for Baritone and Strings (1964); Rituels for Voice and Instrumental Ensemble (1972–82); Esquisses pour une tragédie for Soprano, Baritone, and Instrumental Ensemble (1979); Deutsche Gesange for Baritone and Orch. (1980); Liederkreis for Alto and Piano (1993).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire