Composer of the Month 8/2012: Albert Roussel (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

France 22.3.1969 The video shows the first movement (Allegro vivo) of Symphony No.3 in G minor, op.42 by Albert Roussel, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lionel Bringuier. The French composer Albert Charles Paul Marie Roussel was born on 5 April 1869 in Tourcoing. Although he showed musical inclinations as a child, he chose the Navy. In 1894 he resigned his commission and began studying music with Eugene Gigout. In 1898 he moved to the Schola Cantorum established by Vincent d'Indy. From 1902 to 1914 Roussel was professor counterpoint at this school. The composer's first works clearly show the cyclic form propagated by César Franck and Vincent d'Indy. The second creative period from about 1909, however, significantly influenced by Impressionism. After his second Symphony has been rejected by the audience, Roussel 1922 turned to the Neo-Classicism and processed in its own individual style, the new contemporary trends. The works of this third period became a role model for younger composers like Francis Poulenc, Sergei Prokofiev and Martinu. Albert Roussel died on 23 August 1937 in Royan. In August 2012 we commemorate his 75th death anniversary. More composer can be found in the members only section