Georges Bizet at 150 Honouring the Legacy of a Musical Genius On 3 June 2025, we mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Georges Bizet (1838–1875), a composer whose brief but brilliant career left an indelible mark on the

Ravel at 150: A Legacy of Innovation 150 years ago, on 7 March 1875, the small village of Ciboure in the Basque region of France saw the birth of Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). Son of a Swiss engineer and a Basque

“He moved those without understanding to mindless admiration” The three great representatives of the classical French violin school, Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831), Pierre Baillot (1771-1842), and Pierre Rode (1774-1830) essentially established the history of modern violin technique. Rode was probably the

‘It’s Always The Music First’ Award-winning violinist Irène Duval has earned a reputation for ‘her mastery of phrasing and dramatic dimension’ (Diapason), and ‘astonishing virtuosity’ (Revelations Classiques). Her career has already taken her around the world, with collaborations and appearances

“Down with impressionism and all those beautiful sonorities” Georges Auric (1899-1983), born on 15 February 1899 in Lodève, France, was famously included in the group called Les Six by critic Henri Collet in 1920. As a composer, he is probably

“I simply follow my own feelings” Among the most original and sincere voices of the 20th century, Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) was no revolutionary as his music and personality simply mirror the often-conflicting nature of humanity. Simultaneously earthy and refined, an

“Be yourself, because everyone else is taken” “The glory of Édouard Lalo (1823-1892),” wrote a scholar in 1925, “was that he cast a shaft of sunlight into French music, expressing joy, life, and chaste tenderness free of sentimentality, and burning

“I dared much, but the next time, I will dare even more” Born in the city of Liège on 10 December 1822, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, César Franck (1822-1890) composed in a rich and luxurious