Gounod, Charles François 1818 - 1893
Author: Miyamoto, Yumi
Last updated：May 1, 2007
Author: Miyamoto, Yumi
French composer. Born in 1818 to a painter father and a pianist mother. He received his early musical education from his mother and entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1836. In 1839, he won the Prix de Rome and studied in Rome. During his three years of study in Rome and subsequent stays in Vienna, Berlin, and Leipzig, he absorbed a wide range of influences from composers such as Palestrina, Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Upon his return, Gounod performed as a church organist and composed sacred music. He had been studying to become a clergyman but eventually abandoned this path, composing his first opera in 1851. In 1859, Faust premiered and achieved success. His Ave Maria: Religious Melody appended to J.S. Bach's Prelude from the same year remains popular today in various arrangements. Other works include lieder (songs), choral works, two symphonies, chamber music, and piano pieces.
Works(28)
Piano Solo (11)
fuga (1)
waltz (3)
character pieces (7)
Paraphrase (1)
Méditation sur la première prélude de Bach pour piano seul
Composed in: 1857 Playing time: 4 min 30 sec
transcription (1)
Piano Ensemble (4)
fantasy (1)
waltz (2)