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
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BSO SESSIONS | MAY-JUNE 2021
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