Théodore Dubois › Texts

Francois Clement Theodore Dubois France 1837-1924. Born at Rosnay, Marne, France, he studied piano and was educated for a musical career at the Reims Cathedral, under Louis Fanart, and later at the Paris Conservatoire, under Ambroise Thomas. He married Jeanne-Adrienne Fortunee Augustine Duvinage. He became choirmaster at the Church of the Madeleine in 1868, and in 1871 choirmaster at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde. He was a friend of Franz Liszt. In 1877, he returned to the Church of the Madeleine as organist. From 1871 he taught music as professor of harmony at the Paris Conservatoire. He became Director of the Conservatoire in 1896. In 1905 he was forced into retirement as a result of a public scandal (over musician rivalry concerning Maurice Ravel). He was a composer, organist, and music teacher. He wrote nine operas. His music included many religious works, two ballets, four oratorios, seven chamber music works, 14 orchestral works (including three symphonies) and three other compositions. Most of his music is no longer in use. He wrote four musical training works. He is known for his work: “The seven last words of Christ”. He received three major awards: Prix de Rome, Commander of the Legion of Honor, Officer of the French Order of Academic Palms. He died in Paris.

John Perry