DARIUS MILHAUD Little Symphony No. 5
DARIUS MILHAUD Little Symphony No. 5
“ It is curious how people go on believing that the musician knows less about what he is doing than those who judge him.” – Milhaud
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1892 in Aix-en-Provence, France; died 1974 in Geneva, Switzerland
• Milhaud was born near Marseille and started studying violin in his youth, later shifting to composition and studying at the Paris Conservatory.
• After school, Milhaud spent several years working as secretary to the French ambassador to Brazil, who was also a poet. Milhaud’ s years in Brazil greatly influenced the composer.
• Once Germany invaded France, Milhaud, due to his Jewish background, was forced to flee for his safety and emigrated to the U. S.
• While in the U. S., Milhaud taught at Mills College, where jazz pianist Dave Brubeck was a student of his. Brubeck was greatly influenced by Milhaud and even named his first son Darius.
• Milhaud is considered one of the key modernist composers. His music was influenced by many genres, and he incorporated the use of polytonality into his music.
ABOUT THE PIECE
• Milhaud wrote the Little Symphony No. 5 in 1922.
• The work, written for wind instruments, is his fifth chamber symphony and was commissioned by Italian Radio. The work was dedicated to his friend, soprano Marya Freund.
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1922
MUSIC Hindemith’ s String Quartet No. 3
MEDICINE The first successful insulin treatment of diabetes
LITERATURE Sinclair Lewis’ Babbitt
HISTORY Stalin is appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
BSO SESSIONS | MAY-JUNE 2021
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