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Jules Strens (Composer, Arranger)
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Born: December 5, 1892 - Ixelles, near Brussels, Belgium
Died: March 19, 1971 - Ixelles, near Brussels, Belgium |
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The Belgian organist and composer, JuIes Strens, studied violin at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and for a while he received advice from Paul Gilson in orchestration.
JuIes Strens persued a career a violinist and composer. Starting 1922 he was first violinist at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie. In 1925 (or 1926) he was one of 8 young progressive composers who founded of the Group des Synthétistes (all Gilson pupils), endeavoring to establish a modern style of composition within the formal categories of early music. From 1931 to 1934 he was conductor of the Association Symphonique de Bruxelles. Later in life he became active mainly as an organist.
As a composer, JuIes Strens was self-taught and prolific, sometimes mixing the grotesque with impressionist colours in a style that remained fundamentally romantic. His musical production is all embracing and earned him several awards. His first compositions were undeniably influenced by the conceptions of Richard Strauss. His symphonic variations Gil Blas are a good example of this tendency. The most predominant element in the evolution of his style is the use and study of polyrhythmics. The most typical compositions written in this technique are Danse funambulesque, Danse tragique and Rhapsodie polyrythmique.
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Works |
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Operas:
Le Chanteur de Naples (1937)
La Tragédie d'Agamemnon (1941)
Orchestral:
Gil BIas, symphonic variations (1921)
Les Elfes, symphonic poem (1923)
Danse funambulesque (1925)
Rapsodie tzigane (1927)
Fantaise concertante for Piano and Orchestra (1938)
Symphonie Sylvestre for Soli, Chorus, and Orchestra (1939)
Violin Concerto (1951)
Concerto for Organ and Strings (1958)
Chamber:
Piano Trio (1920)
4 string quartets (1925, 1929, 1933, 1935)
Cello Sonata (1926)
String Sextet (1935)
Wind Quintet (1943)
Quartet for 4 Horns (1950)
Suite for 4 Horns (1951)
Viola Sonata (1954)
Trio for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1954)
Piano Quartet (1955)
also piano pieces; organ pieces
Vocal:
Songs |
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Source: Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of 20th Century Classical Musicians (1997); United States Marine Ban Website; CeBe DeM Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (July 2007) |
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