Profile of Paul Dukas

From Espie Estrella, former About.com Guide

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Born:

October 1, 1865

Birthplace:

Paris, France

Died:

May 17, 1935 in Paris

Also Known As:

Paul Abraham Dukas was a French composer, master of orchestration, professor at the Paris Conservatory and music critic of the Revue Hebdomadaire and Gazette des Beaux-Arts. Dukas won the Prix de Rome twice; first in 1886 and again in 1888.

Type of Compositions:

He wrote a ballet, cantata, opera, overture, program music, piano pieces and orchestral works.

Influence:

Dukas' early influence may have been his mother who played the piano. He studied at the Paris Conservatory where he later became professor of the orchestral class from 1910 to 1912. He then became professor of orchestration at the said conservatory from 1927 to 1935.

Notable Works:

His notable works include: "L’Apprenti sorcier" (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), "Velléda," "Symphony in C Major," "Sonate," "Variations, interlude et final pour piano sur un thème de Rameau," "La Péri," "Prélude élégiaque sur le nom de Haydn," "La Plainte au loin du faune" and "Ariane et Barbe-bleue." In 1948, his essays were published in a collection titled Les Écrits de Paul Dukas sur la musique.

Interesting Facts:

Olivier Messiaen became one of his students at the Paris Conservatory.

His most famous work, "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice," was based on J.W. von Goethe’s poem "Der Zauberlehrling."

His essays include writings on Berlioz, Gluck and Rameau.

He wrote a piano piece in memory of his friend and supporter Claude Debussy.

Dukas prepared modern editions of Beethoven, Couperin, Rameau and Scarlatti's works.

It has been mentioned that Dukas had a strong critical sense which may have led him to destroy some of his works before his death.