 |
DARIUS MILHAUD (1892 - 1974)
Born into a Jewish family in the southern French city of Aix-en-Provence, Darius Milhaud was trained at the Paris Conservatoire; originally a violinist, he turned to composition. He enjoyed a close association with the diplomat-poet Paul Claudel, whom he accompanied to Brazil as secretary when Claudel was appointed Minister at the French delegation in Rio de Janeiro. On his return to Paris in 1918, after two years abroad, Milhaud was for a time in the circle of Jean Cocteau and a member of the diverse group of French composers known as Les Six. Extremely prolific as a composer in many genres, Milhaud spent the years of the Second World War in the United States, where he taught, combining this position with a similar post at the Paris Conservatoire after 1947.
Stage Works
Darius Milhaud wrote a considerable amount of music for the theatre (operas, ballets and incidental music) as well as film and radio scores. Collaboration with Claudel brought the opera Christophe Colombe and incidental music for plays ranging from those of Shakespeare to the work of contemporaries such as Brecht, Supervielle, Giraudoux and Anouilh. With Cocteau he wrote the ballets Le Boeuf sur le Toit (‘The Ox on the Roof’) and the jazz La Création du Monde (‘The Creation of the World’). These represent only a small fraction of his dramatic work.
Orchestral Music
Milhaud was equally prolific as a composer of orchestral music of all kinds, including 12 symphonies and a variety of concertos, some of which reflect the influence of his native Provence.
Vocal and Choral Music
Milhaud also contributed widely to the repertoire of French song. His settings (both choral and solo voice with piano) are of texts from a great variety of sources, including Rabindranath Tagore, André Gide, and the words of Pope John XXIII (the last in a choral symphony Pacem in terris). He contributed to Cocteau’s Les Mariés de la tour Eiffel and, as a gesture, set to music an agricultural appliance catalogue. Other works reflect his Jewish background.
Chamber Music
Milhaud wrote 18 string quartets and provided useful additions to duo sonata repertoire, not least for the viola. His Quatre Visages of 1943 for viola and piano comprises musical representations of four different kinds of girls. For wind quintet he composed the charming suite La Cheminée du Roi René, and for oboe, clarinet and bassoon he wrote the attractive Pastorale. The works show his characteristically French adroitness in writing for woodwind instruments.
Piano Music
Two works in particular have proved attractive additions to repertoire. The first, Saudades do Brasil, a suite for piano, is based on music heard in Brazil during the composer’s stay there between 1916 and 1918. Scaramouche, arranged for two pianos from incidental music for Molière’s Le Médécin volant, is a lively jeu d’esprit, in the spirit of the commedia dell’arte character of the title. La Muse ménagère (‘The Domestic Muse’) reflects the necessary wartime attempts at house-keeping by his actress wife.
|
|
Role: Classical Artist
|
Album Title |
Catalogue No |
Work Category |
20TH CENTURY FRENCH WIND TRIOS |
Cedille CDR90000-040 |
Chamber Music
|
AMERICA'S BAND IN BLUE: Prairie Overture |
Altissimo 75442271012 |
Wind Ensemble/Band Music
|
ANIMALS IN MUSIC |
Naxos 8.578281-82 |
Ballet
|
BERNSTEIN, L.: Fancy Free / COPLAND, A.: El salon Mexico / MILHAUD, D.: La creation du monde (Bernstein) (1951, 1956) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80304 |
Ballet
|
Chamber Music - SAINT-SAENS, C. / MILHAUD, D. / DEBUSSY, C. / HONEGGER, A. (French Music for Clarinet and Piano) (Veglianti, Polimanti) |
Naxos 9.70166 |
Chamber Music
|
Chamber Music Arrangements - TANSMAN, A. / BADEN POWELL / POPPER, D. / IBERT, J. (Saitensprünge) (Stefaniak, Eppinger, Philharmonic Cellists) |
Orfeo C495021A |
Chamber Music
|
CHOPIN, F.: Rondo in C Major / SCHUBERT, F.: Fantasie in F Minor / LISZT, F.: Concerto pathétique / MILHAUD, D.: Scaramouche (Vronsky, Babin) (1956) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80287 |
Instrumental
|
Choral Concert: United States Army Chorus - SCHUBERT, F. / LULLY, J.-B. / MILHAUD, D. / CURTIS, E. de (In Concert) |
Altissimo 75442270782 |
Choral - Sacred
|
Choral Music - DEBUSSY, C. / MILHAUD, D. / POULENC, F. / JOLIVET, A. / MESSIAEN, O. (France) (South West German Radio Vocal Ensemble, M. Creed) |
SWR Classic SWR19065CD |
Choral - Secular
|
Clarinet Recital: Manno, Ralph - DEBUSSY, C. / POULENC, F. / HONEGGER, A. / SCHMITT, F. / MILHAUD, D. (French Clarinet Rhapsody) |
Oehms Classics OC114 |
Chamber Music
|
CLASSICAL CAFFEINE |
Delos DE1628 |
Chamber Music
|
CLASSICAL WELLNESS - Musical Tonics for Mind, Body and Spirit (3-CD Box Set) |
Delos DE3464 |
Chamber Music
|
COMPOSERS IN EXILE - ZEMLINSKY, A. von / SCHREKER, F. / SCHULHOFF, E. / ULLMANN, V. / HINDEMITH, P. / SCHOENBERG, A. / MILHAUD, D. |
Capriccio C67097-99 |
Chamber Music
|
DANCING ON THE EDGE OF A VOLCANO - Jewish Cabaret Music, Popular and Political Songs, 1900-1945 |
Cedille CDR90000-065 |
Vocal
|
DEBUSSY, C.: Fantaisie / HONEGGER, A.: Piano Concertino / MILHAUD, D.: Piano Concerto No. 1 (Jacquinot, Fistoulari) (1951, 1953) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80727 |
Concerto
|
FAURÉ: Dolly / DEBUSSY: En blanc et noir / RAVEL: Ma mere l'oye (Robin, Joy) (1955) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80186 |
Instrumental
|
Flute and Piano Recital: Roorda, Thies / Soccorsi, Alessandro - ANTHEIL, G. / AURIC,G. / BRÉVILLE, P. de (Flute Music from the Harlequin Years) |
Naxos 8.579045 |
Chamber Music
|
FRENCH MUSIC FOR WIND QUINTET |
Naxos 8.557356 |
Chamber Music
|
GENESIS SUITE (1945) |
Naxos 8.559442 |
Orchestral
|
GIRLS GOTTA DANCE! - Rhythms to excite the muscles, Symmetry to stimulate the brain, Melodies to delight the heart |
Delos DE1624 |
Chamber Music
|
GROUPE DES SIX (LE), Part 2 - AURIC, G. / MILHAUD, D. (Paris Conservatoire, Tzipine) (1954) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80590 |
Orchestral
|
Guitar Recital: Ricardo Gallen |
Naxos 8.554832 |
Instrumental
|
HEIFETZ, J.: Transcriptions (Aharonian, Safonova) |
Delos DE3351 |
Chamber Music
|
Heifetz, Jascha: Encores, Vol. 2 (1946-1947) |
Naxos Historical 8.112073 |
Chamber Music
|
INTRODUCING THE WORLD OF AMERICAN JEWISH MUSIC |
Naxos 8.559406 |
Choral - Sacred, Chamber Music
|
JEWISH MUSIC OF THE DANCE |
Naxos 8.559439 |
Orchestral
|
JEWISH STRING QUARTETS |
Naxos 8.559451 |
Chamber Music
|
MICHAELS, Patrice: La vie est une parade |
Cedille CDR90000-070 |
Vocal
|
MILHAUD, D.: Alissa / L'Amour Chante / Poemes Juifs (Farley, Constable) |
Naxos 8.572298 |
Vocal
|
MILHAUD, D.: Amours de Ronsard (Les) / Concertino d'été (Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble, Milhaud) (1952) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.81149 |
Choral - Secular, Concerto
|
MILHAUD, D.: Boeuf sur le toit (Le) / POULENC, F.: Les biches Suite / SATIE, E.: Parade (Luxembourg Radio Orchestra, Froment) |
Allegretto ACD-8157 |
Ballet
|
MILHAUD, D.: Boeuf sur le toit (Le) / RAVEL, M.: Le tombeau de Couperin / MASSENET, J.: Scenes alsaciennes (Mitropoulos) (1941-1952) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80362 |
Orchestral, Ballet
|
MILHAUD, D.: Cantate de l'enfant et de la mere / La muse menagere (Milhaud) (1945, 1950) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80919 |
Choral - Secular, Instrumental
|
MILHAUD, D.: Cello Concerto No. 1 / PROKOFIEV, S.: Cello Concerto (Starker) (1956) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80449 |
Concerto
|
MILHAUD, D.: Chamber Music for Winds and Piano (Brunner, Holliger, Nicolet, Maisenberg) |
Orfeo C060831A |
Chamber Music
|
MILHAUD, D.: Chateau de feu (Le) / La mort du tyran / Introduction et marche funebre from Le quatorze juillet (Milhaud) (1958) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80963 |
Orchestral, Choral - Secular
|
MILHAUD, D.: Christophe Colomb (Boulez) (1954) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.81022-23 |
Opera
|
MILHAUD, D.: Creation du monde (La) / Le Boeuf sur le toit / Suite provençale, Op. 152d (Lille National Orchestra, Casadesus) |
Naxos 8.557287 |
Ballet, Orchestral
|
MILHAUD, D.: Orestie d'Eschyle (L') (L. Phillips, Dempson, Outlaw, Delphis, University of Michigan Choirs and Symphony Orchestra, K. Kiesler) |
Naxos 8.660349-51 |
Opera, Choral - Secular, Opera
|
MILHAUD, D.: Quintets Nos. 1 and 2 (The Stanley Quartet, B. Smith, C. Thompson) (1952) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.81150 |
Chamber Music
|
MILHAUD, D.: String Quartet No. 1 / RAVEL, M.: String Quartet in F Major / CHAUSSON, E.: Chanson perpetuelle (Petersen Quartet) |
Capriccio C10860 |
Chamber Music
|
MILHAUD, D.: String Quartet No. 1, Op. 5 / CHAUSSON, E.: Chanson perpetuelle / RAVEL, M.: String Quartet in F Major (Petersen Quartet) |
Capriccio C71002 |
Chamber Music
|
MILHAUD, D.: Suite / Scaramouche / Violin Sonata No. 2 (Fessard, Pelassy, Reyes) |
Naxos 8.572278 |
Chamber Music
|
MILHAUD, D.: Suite provencale / Saudades do Brasil (Milhaud) (1957) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80448 |
Orchestral
|
MILHAUD, D.: Symphonie de chambre Nos. 1-6 / Le bœuf sur le toit / L'homme et son désir (Luxembourg Radio Orchestra, Milhaud) |
Vox Box CDX-5109 |
Chamber Music, Concerto, Orchestral, Ballet, Concerto, Chamber Music, Instrumental, Chamber Music, Concerto, Orchestral
|
MILHAUD, D.: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / Concertino de printemps / Le boeuf sur le toit (Steinbacher, Munich Radio Orchestra, Steinberg) |
Orfeo C646051A |
Ballet, Concerto
|
MILHAUD: Overture Mediterraneenne / Kentuckiana / Cortege Funebre / Quatre Chansons de Ronsard |
First Edition FECD-0031 |
Orchestral, Vocal
|
MILHAUD: Saudades do Brazil / La muse menagere / L'album de Madame Bovary |
Naxos 8.553443 |
Instrumental
|
MILHAUD: Scaramouche / GLAZUNOV: Saxophone Concerto / IBERT: Concertino da Camera |
Marco Polo 8.223374 |
Orchestral
|
MILHAUD: Service Sacre |
Naxos 8.559409 |
Choral - Sacred
|
Music for Saxophone and Orchestra |
Naxos 8.554784 |
Orchestral
|
Music for Saxophone and Orchestra |
Naxos 8.557063 |
Orchestral
|
My First Ballet Album |
Naxos 8.578205 |
Ballet
|
My First Classical Albums (9-CD Box Set) |
Naxos 8.509003 |
Ballet
|
Orchestral Music - BLACHER, B. / PROKOFIEV, S. / EGK, W. / WAGNER, R. / MUSSORGSKY, M.P. / TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I. (Stokowski) (1955) |
SWR Classic CD94.204 |
Concerto
|
Orchestral Music - PAGANINI, N. / GABRIELI, G. / MILHAUD, D. / STRAUSS, R. / BRAHMS, J. / ELGAR, E. (Ormandy) (1955) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80256 |
Concerto
|
Piano Duets - BIZET, G. / FAURÉ, G. / DEBUSSY, C. / MILHAUD, D. / RAVEL, M. (French 4-Hand Piano Music) (B. and W. Klien, Deas, Glazer, Dosse, Petit) |
Vox Box CDX-5078 |
Instrumental
|
Piano Duets - MILHAUD, D. / SMIT, L. / TOCH, E. / SCHOENBERG, A. / (Der Ochse auf dem Dach und andere Verbote) (exil.arte, Vol. 3) (Haufe, Ahmels) |
Gramola Records Gramola98892 |
Instrumental
|
Piano Duo Recital: Argerich, Martha / Baldocci, Gabriele - MOZART, W.A. / SHOSTAKOVICH, D. / RACHMANINOV, S. / MILHAUD, D. / RAVEL, M. |
Dynamic CDS7663 |
Instrumental
|
Piano Duo Recital: Gold, Arthur / Fizdale, Robert - STRAVINSKY, I. / HINDEMITH, P. / BARBER, S. (Music for 2 Pianos, 1900-1952) (1951-1953) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.81025-26 |
Concerto
|
Piano Music - MILHAUD, D. / NEPOMUCENO, A. / INFANTE, M. (A. Iturbi, J. Iturbi) (1952-1953) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.81085 |
Instrumental
|
PIANO MUSIC FOR STUDENTS - Associated Board Piano Examination, Grades 1-7 (1994) (Jandó) |
Marco Polo AB-80101 |
Instrumental
|
Piano Recital: Johannesen, Grant - RAVEL, M. / DEBUSSY, C. / SATIE, E. / FAURÉ, G. / FRANCK, C. / SAINT-SAËNS, C. / DUKAS, P. |
Vox Box CD3X-3032 |
Instrumental
|
Piano Recital: Palombi, Luigi - ZAMECNIK, J.S. / SATIE, E. / MILHAUD, D. / AURIC, G. / PETERSON, O. / GRUSIN, D. (Cinema - Original Film Soundtracks) |
Dynamic CDS7805 |
Instrumental
|
PRESIDENT'S OWN UNITED STATES MARINE BAND: Live in Concert |
Altissimo 75442270512 |
Wind Ensemble/Band Music
|
RAVEL, M. / FERROUD, P.-O. / IBERT, J. / etc.: Éventail de Jeanne (L') / RAVEL, M.: Ma Mère l'Oye (Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Axelrod) |
Naxos 8.573354 |
Ballet
|
SACHER, Paul: Resonanzen (1961-1987) |
Musiques Suisses MGB-6240 |
Opera
|
SATIE: 3 Gymnopédies / RAVEL: La Tombeau de Couperin / HONEGGER: Pastorale d'été / MILHAUD: Le boeuf sur le toit (Goltzer) (1954) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80261 |
Ballet
|
SAUGUET, H.: Chatte (La) / MILHAUD, D.: Le train bleu / TOMMASINI, V.: Le donne di buon umore Suite (Les Ballets Russes, Vol. 9) (Reimer) |
SWR Classic CD93.296 |
Ballet
|
SCHMID, Benjamin: Concert Pieces |
Oehms Classics OC309 |
Chamber Music
|
SIX (Les): Maries de la Tour Eiffel (Les) |
Marco Polo 8.223788 |
Chamber Music, Orchestral
|
String Quartets - BEETHOVEN, L. van / HAYDN, J. / MOZART, W.A. / SCHUBERT, F. / JANACEK, L. (Petersen Quartet) |
Capriccio C51147 |
Chamber Music
|
UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND: Legacy of Edwin Franko Goldman (The) |
Altissimo 75442260702 |
Wind Ensemble/Band Music
|
VAUGHAN-WILLIAMS, R.: Concerto for 2 Pianos / BOWLES, P.: Concerto for 2 Pianos, Winds and Percussion (Whittemore, Lowe, Gold, Fizdale) (1949, 1951) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80553 |
Instrumental
|
Violin Recital: Steinbacher, Arabella - PIAZZOLLA, A. / FALLA, M. de / WIENHARDT, P. von / GINASTERA, A. (Violino Latino) |
Orfeo C686061A |
Chamber Music
|
Vocal Recital: Kammer, Salome - HOLLAENDER, F. / NELSON, R. / SCHOENBERG, A. / WEILL, K. / MILHAUD, D. (I hate music - but I like to sing) |
Capriccio C67195 |
Vocal
|
Vocal Recital: Ricci, Celine - SAUGUET, H. / MILHAUD, D. / SATIE, E. / POULENC, F. / AURIC, G. (Cirque) |
Dorian Sono Luminus DSL-92125 |
Vocal, Instrumental
|
Vocal Recital: Seefried, Irmgard - HAYDN, J. / MOZART, W.A. / BEETHOVEN, L. van / BRAHMS, J. / SCHUBERT, F. / SCHUMANN, R. (1944-1967) |
Orfeo C877134I |
Vocal
|
WOMEN AT THE PIANO - AN ANTHOLOGY OF HISTORIC PERFORMANCES, Vol. 1 (1926-1952) |
Naxos Historical 8.111120 |
Instrumental |
MILHAUD, D.: Amours de Ronsard (Les) / Concertino d'été (Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble, Milhaud) (1952) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.81149 |
Choral - Secular, Concerto
|
MILHAUD, D.: Cantate de l'enfant et de la mere / La muse menagere (Milhaud) (1945, 1950) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80919 |
Choral - Secular
|
MILHAUD, D.: Chateau de feu (Le) / La mort du tyran / Introduction et marche funebre from Le quatorze juillet (Milhaud) (1958) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80963 |
Choral - Secular, Orchestral
|
MILHAUD, D.: Suite provencale / Saudades do Brasil (Milhaud) (1957) |
Naxos Classical Archives 9.80448 |
Orchestral
|
MILHAUD, D.: Symphonie de chambre Nos. 1-6 / Le bœuf sur le toit / L'homme et son désir (Luxembourg Radio Orchestra, Milhaud) |
Vox Box CDX-5109 |
Ballet, Chamber Music, Concerto, Orchestral |
|
|
 |
|
 |