Marescotti, André-François
Marescotti, André-François
Marescotti, André-François, Swiss composer, organist, choirmaster, and teacher; b. Geneva, April 30, 1902. Following training at the Geneva Technicum, he studied at the Geneva Cons. with Mottu (piano), Montillet (organ), Chaix (harmony, counterpoint, and composition), and Lauber (instrumentation), and in Paris with Roger-Ducasse (composition). In 1921 he became organist in Compesières. In 1924 he became choirmaster at the Sacré-Coeur, and in 1940 at the St.-Joseph Church in Geneva. He also was on the faculty of the Geneva Cons. (1931–73). He publ. the valuable folio vol. Les Instruments d’orchestre, Leurs caractères, leurs possibilités et leur utilisation dans l’orchestre moderne (with 900 musical examples; Paris, 1950). Marescotti’s early works followed along French Impressionist lines, but he later embraced serialism.
Works
dramatic: ballet: Les Anges du Grèco (Zürich, June 1, 1947).orch.:Ouverture pour celui qui épousa une femme muette (1930); Prélude au Grand Meaulnes (1934); Aubade (1936); Concert Carougeois I (1942), II (1959), III (1964–65), and IV (1985); Giboulées for Bassoon and Orch. (1949; also for Solo Bassoon); Piano Concerto (1954–57); Festa (1961); Hymnes (1961–64); Rondeau capriccioso (1972); Ballade for Violin and Orch. (1975; also for Solo Violin); Cello Concerto (1977); Nuage sur la vigne, suite (1984). chamber:Mouvement for Harp (1941); Giboulées for Bassoon (1949; also for Bassoon and Orch.); Ballade for Violin (1975; also for Violin and Orch.); Méditation alternée for Winds, Timpani, and Percussion (1979). piano:Esquisses et Croquis (3 series, 1923–40); 3 suites (1928–44); Fantasque (1939); Variations sur un thème de J.-J. Rousseau (1978); Ittocséram (1980–82). vocal:Messe St.-André for Chorus and Organ (1925); Réveillez-vous Pastoureaux, 10 carols for Voices and Piano or Orch. (1944); Vergers for Medium Voice and Piano (1945–46); La Lampe d’argile for Soloists and Chorus (1947); Insomnies for Voice and Orch. (1950–64); Trois Incantations for Chorus and 4 Percussionists (1969); Salve Regina, Regina Coeli,2 motets for Women’s Chorus and Organ (1990).
Bibliography
A. Golea, A.-F. M., Biographie. Études analytiques. Liste des Oeuvres. Discographie (Paris, 1963); C. Tappolet, A.-F. M.(Geneva, 1986).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire