The Life of Albert Roussel

Chronology

Early years and naval life. (1869-1897)
Student years and early successes. (1898-1913)
Changes: the War and after. (1914-1925)
Maturity and neoclassicism. (1926-1937)

Early years and naval life (1869-1897)

1869 Born at Tourcoing, France, April 5.
1870 Father dies.
1877 Mother dies. Young Albert goes to live with his grandfather, the mayor of Tourcoing.
1880 Grandfather dies. Albert goes to live with his aunt and uncle.
1887 Admitted to l'Ecole Navale. On October 1, sails on the Borda, the first of many naval assignments.
1892 Health breaks down, leading to a convalescent leave in Tunisia. In December, Roussel's music is performed for the first time: an Andante for violin, viola, cello and organ. Through ignorance, the viola part is written in the wrong clef.
1893 Promoted to lieutenant, Roussel takes command of the torpedo boat Styx. Sails to Viet Nam as part of a mobilization in the area.
1894 Resigns his commission to study harmony and counterpoint with organist Eugene Gigout.
1897 Composes two "anonymous" madrigals that win, as co-equals, a competition of the Société des Compositeurs.

Student years and early successes (1898-1913)

1898 Begins study at the Schola Cantorum under Vincent d'Indy. Opus 1 (Des heures passent) is written.
1902 Becomes a teacher of counterpoint at the Schola while continuing his own studies. Over the years, his pupils include Varese, Roland-Manual and Satie.
1906 Composes the Divertissement, Opus 6, his first work to find a place in the repertoire.
1908 Marries Blanche Preisach on April 7. Finishes his studies at the Schola Cantorum, remaining as a professor of counterpoint.
1909 Takes a four-month voyage with his wife to India and Southeast Asia.
1911 Finishes work on Evocations, his first great masterpiece, in memory of his voyage to the orient.
1912 Writes the ballet Le festin de l'araignée, one of his most enduring successes.

Changes: the War and after (1914-1925)

1914 Resigns his professorship at the Schola Cantorum, and begins work on the opera Padmavati. At the outbreak of World War I he tries to enlist but is turned down because of weak health. Joins the Red Cross as an ambulance driver.
1915 Admitted to 13th Artillery Regiment. Roussel sees active service at Champagne, the Somme, and Verdun, becoming an officer.
1918 Health breaks down again; invalided out of the army in January. Completes Padmavati.
1921 Purchases the house named Vasterival near Varengeville in Normandy, which remains his beloved retreat for the rest of his life. Finishes work on the Second Symphony.
1923 Padmavati is performed for the first time. Begins teaching Bohuslav Martinu, who comes to Paris to learn from Roussel.

Maturity and neoclassicism (1926-1937)

1926 Composes Suite in F, with which he finds his definitive, neoclassical style.
1928 Composes Psalm 80, one of his most masterful vocal works.
1929 Week-long festival of Roussel's music is given in Paris, in honor of his 60th birthday. Writes the Third Symphony to a commission for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony.
1930 Travels to America for the only time, to attend the premier of the Third Symphony. Also composes his great ballet, Bacchus et Ariane. Roussel is at the pinnacle of his career.
1934 Composes the Sinfonietta for String Orchestra and the Fourth Symphony despite suffering from pneumonia.
1935 Massive forest fire threatens Vasterival and all the compositions Roussel keeps there. Although the fire is contained, Roussel's health is affected.
1936 Appointed president of the of music section of the Paris National Exhibition, which he helps personally to organize despite suffering from angina.
1937 Refuses to allow his own works to be performed at I.S.C.M Festival, preferring to give the exposure to younger talent. Composes his final work, the String Trio.

Roussel dies of a heart attack on August 23 at Royan, France.

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