Binet, Jean

Binet, Jean, Swiss composer; b. Geneva, Oct. 17, 1893; d. Trélex, Feb. 24, 1960. He studied in Geneva at the Univ. and at the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze; after training with Otto Barban, William Montillet, and George Templeton Strong, he completed his studies with Bloch in N.Y., whom he helped to found the Dalcroze Rhythmic School and then the Cleveland Cons. He taught the Dalcroze method in Brussels (1923–29) before settling in Trélex; later was president of the Société Suisse des Auteurs et Editeurs (1951–60). His output was marked by a refined Gallic quality.

Works

DRAMATIC: Ballet L’Ile enchantée (1947); Le printemps (1950). OTHER: Incidental music. ORCH Concertino for Small Orch. (1927); Suite d’airs et danses populaires suisses for Small Orch. (1931); Divertissement for Violin and Small Orch. (1934; also for Violin and Piano); 4 danses (1936); 3 pièces for Strings (1939); Cartes postales for Small Orch. (1940); Musique de mai (1943); 6 pièces enfantines for Small Orch. (1947); Prélude symphonique (1949); Petit concert for Clarinet and Strings (1950; also for Clarinet and Piano); Suite grisonne for Small Orch. (1951). CHAMBER: String Quartet (1927); Flute Sonatine (1942); Kaval for Flute and Piano (1945); Sonate brève for Violin and Piano (1946); 3 dialogues for 2 Flutes (1957); Variations sur un chant de Noël for Bassoon and Piano (1957). VOCAL: Choral music and songs.

Bibliography

Hommage à J. B. (Nyon, 1961).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire