Paul Dukas

pour précéder la Péri-Paul Dukas (1865-1935) was a composer who had little self-confidence and was very self-critical. As a result of this he destroyed the manuscripts of all but seven large and five small works. Luckily kept what is now his best know composition the symphonic scherzo L?apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer?s Apprentice). He also came very close to destroying the manuscript of his ballet music La Peri (The Fairy). This was however rescued by his friends. Thus we can still enjoy this magnificent fanfare which was originally used as an opener for the ballet. This magnificent transcription for fanfare band will make a great opening item for any concert.

In 1911 the Russian impresario Diaghilev commisioned Paul Dukas to compose music for the famous ballet fairy-tale 'La Perie'by Jean Coralli.Fokine was to make a new choreography so that the Russian ballet company 'Ballet Russes' would be able to perform the piece in Paris that same year. Due to a quarrel between Diaghilev and Dukas about who should dance the title-part however the ballet was not performed by the 'Ballet Russes'but by another company in 1912.The ballet 'La Perie' is Dukas' last symphonic work. In 1911 gaf de Russische impresario Diaghilev Paul Dukas opdracht om muziek te componeren voor het beroemde ballet sprookje 'La Perie' van Jean Coralli. Fokine was gevraagd om een nieuwe choreografie te maken zodat het Russische balletgezelschap 'Ballet Russes' in staat zou zijn om het stuk in Parijs op te voeren in datzelfde jaar. Door een ruzie tussen Diaghilev en Dukas over de vraag wie de hoofdrol mocht dansen werd het ballet in 1912 echter niet uitgevoerd door het 'Ballet Russes' maar door een ander gezelschap. Het ballet 'La Perie' is het laatste symfonische werk van Dukas.

French composer Paul Dukas (1865-1935) is best known for his orchestral piece The Sorcerer's Apprentice. However his catalogue represents many other significant works by the composer including Alla Gitana for Alto Saxophone and Piano. Composed in 1909 Alla Gitana was originally a selection of vocal studies. However Marcel Mule's transcription for Alto Saxophone has made this delightful work more accessible. Dukas reflects the French romantic style in Alla Gitana through uses of flourishing semiquavers lyrical melodies and chromaticism. For all aspiring advancedsaxophonists Dukas' Alla Gitana is an exquisite addition to the repertoire.

pour cor & piano-Paul Dukas' Villanelle for Horn and Piano is a demanding but enjoyable piece for advanced Horn players. It is something of a technique tour-de-force and incorporates most of the Horn's charateristic sound features. Originally for French Horn and Orchestra this is a reduction for French Horn and Piano accompaniment.