Duparc (real name, Fouques-Duparc), (Marie-Eugene-)Henri

Duparc (real name, Fouques-Duparc), (Marie-Eugene-)Henri, remarkable French composer of songs; b. Paris, Jan. 21, 1848; d. Mont-deMarsan, Feb. 12,1933. He was a student of Franck at the Jesuit Coll. of Vaugirad. Between 1868 to 1885 he composed a series of innovative songs, distinguished by exquisitely phrased melodies in fluid modal harmonies. He subsequently was stricken with a neurasthenic malady and went blind, a condition that brought an early end to his compositional career.

Works

ORCH Danse lente (n.d.); 2 symphonic poems: Aux Étoiles (Paris, April 11, 1874) and Lenore (1875). CHAMBER: Cello Sonata (1867); Feuilles volantes, suite of 6 piano pieces. VOCAL: S o n g s : Chanson triste (1868; orchestrated); Lamento (1868); Au Pays ou Von fait la guerre (1870; orchestrated); L’Invitation au voyage (1870; orchestrated); Soupir (1870); La Vague et la cloche (1871; orchestrated); Estase (1872; orchestrated); Elegie (1874); La Manoir de Rosamonde (1879); Serenade florentine (1880; orchestrated); Phidyle (1882; orchestrated); Testament (1883; orchestrated); La Vie anterieure (1884; orchestrated); also the motet Benedicat vobis Dominus.

Bibliography

G. Ferchault, H. D. (Paris, 1944); S. Northcote, The Songs ofH. D. (London, 1949); N. Van Der Elst, H. D.: L’Homme et son oeuvre (Lille, 1972); S. Strieker, Les melodies de D.: Essai (Aries, 1996).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire