Tansman, Alexandre 1897 - 1986
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
Last updated：December 1, 2008
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
1. Education, Mentorship, and Awards
Born in Poland, he was active mainly in France. He began playing the piano at the age of 8 and studied piano, harmony, and counterpoint at the conservatory in his hometown of Łódź. Subsequently, he studied counterpoint, musical forms, and composition under Piotr Rytel (1884-1970) while also studying law and philosophy at the University of Warsaw. In 1919, he submitted two works under different pseudonyms to the Polish National Music Competition, where his Fantasy for violin and piano won first prize, and his Piano Sonata won second prize. This award prompted his move to Paris, where he arrived in October of the same year as the competition. During World War II, he moved to the United States and worked on film scores. During this period, he received the Coolidge Medal in 1941. After the war, he returned to Paris.
2. Musical Style
His early works show connections to Chopin, Ravel, and Stravinsky. Characteristics of Tansman's works include:
- the incorporation of national elements
- unique instrumental sonorities
- the combination of different styles
These idioms create lyricism and melancholy.
3. Activities Other Than Composition
As a conductor and pianist, he also performed his own works. He toured Europe, Canada, Palestine, and the Far East with the Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Koussevitzky. He also authored writings about Stravinsky.
4. Associated Musicians
In Paris, he became acquainted with Ravel, Roland-Manuel, Milhaud, Honegger, and Golschmann. In the United States, where he resided during World War II, he also met Stravinsky.
Works(94)
Concerto (1)
concerto (2)
Piano Solo (13)
sonata (5)
sonatina (3)
pieces (26)
Ten Diversions for the young pianist (Dix Récréations pour le jeune pianiste)
Playing time: 12 min 00 sec
suite (5)
etude (7)
prelude (7)
inpromptu (2)
mazurka (2)
Various works (10)
Piano Ensemble (10)
fuga (6)
Various works (5)