Charles Gounod
Among the many famous composers whose names perpetuated their immortal works, there are those who have become associated with a whole epoch or a specific direction in art. However, there is a separate category of individuals endowed with a special gift, who with time allegedly hid in the shadow of prominent contemporaries and followers. The music of such authors sets the tone, creates a paramount context, strengthens the links between innovation and classics. Such was Charles Francois Gounod. Camille Saint-Saens compared his creations with the dawn, which illuminates the human souls with the divine inner light, blinds, enchants and, ultimately, conquers.
A brief biography of Charles Gounod and many interesting facts about the composer can be found on our page.
Short biography of Gounod
Charles Gounod was born in June 1818 in a family where both his father and mother had creative abilities. They implemented them in various fields. The head of the family was engaged in painting, his wife played the piano. It was she who was the original "conductor" for her son in the world of classical music, the first teacher and mentor. The skills of public speaking and performing instrumental music were decisive in choosing a future profession.
Charles continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory under the guidance of famous teachers. One of them was Pierre Zimmerman. The acquaintance took place in 1836 and in many respects influenced the formation of the composer’s unique expressive handwriting. Subsequently, the daughter of Pierre Anna became the legal wife of Gounod and bore him two children, a son and a daughter.
In 1839 Gounod won an outstanding award in the field of art for his cantata "Fernand". The Rome Prize gave the opportunity to go abroad and continue their studies in the most attractive direction.
A talented musician leaves France and rushes to Italy. Moving, as well as traveling to Austria and Germany, were connected with Gounod's ardent desire to study in depth the history of Catholic church music based on works by Italian composers of the 16th century. It was during his trips to European countries, on the shores of the picturesque lakes, Gounod was bothered with the idea of devoting the further life to organ and spiritual music and serving the church. However, this idea was not embodied: intuitively, the composer felt that his creative potential was much broader, it could be embodied in works of a "secular" nature, intended for grateful listeners not only within Catholic parishes.
Some time after returning to his homeland, Gounod was able to combine his interest in religion and his passion for music. He took the post of organist in one of the cathedrals. The beginning of the 40s is a period when Charles came to grips with creating his own music and became absorbed in teaching. At this time from under his pen appear masses, chants, operas, oratorios, vocal and instrumental works. In the 50s, Charles Gounod was already fully established in the status of a talented composer, the founder of the lyric movement in French opera. In this genre, the greatest popularity was gained by his creations "Sapho", "Faust"and" Romeo and Juliet ".
At sunset the life of Gounod visited England. Leaving the French lands was prompted by the sad event that began the Franco-Prussian war. There, on the lands of Albion, he continued to write music, paying almost equal attention to both secular and spiritual form. The house in which the composer lived is now marked with a memorial plaque. Activities in the Royal Choral Society as a conductor influenced the specifics of the works of that period. Gounod became fond of creating vocal works. In total, in Britain, Charles lived for about 4 years and in 1874 left the islands.
The last years of the creative journey were marked by the appearance of two grand oratorios "La redemption" and "Mors et Vita", as well as numerous literary works in which Gounod proved himself as a thorough and competent critic in the art world. "Death and Life" was performed in the concert hall of London in 1886. Albert Hall was a platform for playing an oratorio at the request of Queen Victoria herself, imbued with her bewitching sound.
Charles Gounod died in 1893 in the western suburbs of the French capital Saint-Cloud. His last work was a requiem for piano (Le Grand Requiem), a choir and a solo voice. At the funeral of the venerable composer in the church of St. Mary Magdalene on the organ played Saint-Saens, and the conductor was Gabriel Foret. According to the last will of the deceased, exclusively vocal works were performed during the mournful ceremony. Gounod found his last refuge within the borders of the small but famous Otoy Necropolis in France.
Interesting Facts
- Charles’s father, like his son, was the winner of the Roman Prize. He received an award in 1783 for his artwork. Perhaps his influence on the heir would have been much larger if the parent had not died when the boy was 4 years old. The artistic talent of the young man was nevertheless noticed during his studies in Rome.
- Gounod had a special passion for early music; he carried this passion through the years. The composer of the Renaissance Giovanni Palestrina had a significant influence on Gounod's creative preferences.
- The muse to work on the opera "Sappho" was Pauline Viardot, the one that became the meaning of life and the object of worship for the outstanding Russian writer I. Turgenev. The singer was a faithful friend of Charles, united by their strong bonds of mutual sympathy and music, in which both found a purpose.
- Gounod's dynamic “Funeral March of the Puppet” was chosen as a musical intro for Alfred Hitchcock’s television project. This accompaniment was recommended to the cinematographic thriller by Bernard Hermann, an employee of his creative association. Initially, the march was part of the suite, but the composer did not finish this work.
- One of Gounod's most loyal fans was his ward. Georges Bizet. The student truly adored his teacher and considered any composition of genius to be a manifestation of genius. When Gounod was instructed to create an opera based on a play by J. Moliere “The Doctor Unwittingly”, and the author completed the work, Bizet did not hesitate to write a letter to his mother, filled with unimaginable delight and admiration. "If the world does not accept music like this, to hell with such a world!" - such lines were present in the message. Comedy was to the liking of the audience, but it didn’t have much success. As the future will show, it was only a "springboard" to the highest leap through generations and the times that the opera Faust written a year later. Bizet was able to see the novelty and non-triviality in the teacher’s scores a year before his comprehensive triumph, and he never once doubted the success of the comic musical sketch. Subsequently, Gounod, by the way, became one of the few respectable guests who received the author's invitation to the opera "Carmen", created by his talented protégé.
- One day, nurturing the idea of writing a “Mass in Commemoration of Joan of Arc”, Gounod shared his thoughts about writing a work, kneeling on a stone, with an ardent Catholic woman bowing her head during the ceremony of ascending the French throne of King Charles VII. The composer carefully preserved his faith and honored traditions, the need to feel the divine presence and support of higher powers appeared even in the process. The instrument Charles was decorated with an engraved image of the face of Jesus Christ.
- Georgina Weldon appeared in the composer's life when he settled in London. She dealt with financial issues related to the payment of fees and compliance with obligations for numerous publishers. According to some sources, platonic relations were associated with this married lady Charles, an alternative version tells of a serious novel. The piquancy of such a connection was not in its essence, in the way it was interrupted. Gounod was going back to Paris to his beloved wife, when he felt physical indisposition and a strong longing for friends from the once close circle. He informed the mistress about the termination of the relationship and asked her to return his things and work papers to him. Frustrated, Georgina refused and sent only the score of the opera “Polievkt” with the “adjustments” made: on each sheet she boldly penned her own name with a pencil.
- The identity of the composer featured in a loud trial. Mrs. Weldon sued Gounod, accusing him of defamation. Being somewhat constrained in his means, Charles decided not to delay the proceedings (the lawsuit could turn into a serious expense item) and admitted his guilt. Georgina has ensured that Charles was denied entry into the territory of the United Kingdom. The offended person would be unspeakably happy to learn that Gounod was arrested at the border, but he did not think to violate the order even for the opportunity to get to the premiere of his own oratorio.
- Life Gounod coincided with the difficult historical period of France. The state has experienced several shifts of rulers, revolution, regime changes (from monarchy to republic and empire). Charles, being a patriot, could not ignore change, although he treated them rather painfully. In 1852, at the dawn of the proclamation of the Second Empire, Gounod wrote the hymn "Vive l'Empereur!", Which was recognized as a component of the official symbols of the country. The patriotic sentiments associated with the blockade of Paris were also expressed in the Gallia motete, which became widely known.
Creativity Charles Gounod
"Messe solennelle"was written in 1854. It was after the publication of this work that Gounod was under the scrutiny of critics and got fans, students."Mass of Saint Cecilia"led to the growth of popularity, fame of the French creator. He received his deserved" portion "of fame and public recognition. On the wave of success 2 symphonies were published almost immediately. One of them (D-dur) inspired the student of Gounod Georges Bizet, who at that time was only 17 years old, to create his work for the symphony orchestra (Symphony in C).
In 1859, Gounod wrote a motet "Ave Maria", the basis for which was the prelude I.S. Baha. Gounod was incredibly respectful of the work of the German organist and composer, considered his works for clavier to be a true teaching tool, a kind of unshakable canon, model, indisputable guide in the process of writing musical works for keyboard instruments. In his work on "Ave Maria," Charles used the prelude to the key of C major from the collection as canvas.Well-Tempered Clavier"Motet, when he was finalized in a complete work for soprano, orchestra, organ and clavier, had an incredible success. It aroused awe and awe. This undoubtedly confirmed the skill and innovative talent of the French composer, who managed to masterfully combine his own work and flawless classics, heritage an unsurpassed master.
Gounod’s authorship consists of 12 completed operas. The composer loved this genre, considered it the most suitable for creating expressive, lyrical, inspirational music. "Sappho"was introduced in 1851 and Gounod's debut in this direction. However, the production of the furore did not produce, it was greeted rather coolly, if not to say - indifferent.
The success on the operatic stage reached the composer only 8 years later, when listeners were able to evaluate "Faust", created by Goethe’s infernal literary creation with the same name. The opera’s premiere was not marked by excitement, it took a little time for connoisseurs of the genre to review and realize how ingenious the author’s interpretation turned out. Faust is now the sign opera of Gounod, the productions are in many famous theaters. By 1975, on the stage of the Paris Opera, the work was recreated more than 2,000 times.
Opera "Mireille"It was first performed in 1864. It was highly appreciated by critics, but the work did not appeal to a wide audience. The opera based on the tragedy of the English classic turned out to be successful."Romeo and Juliet"was completed in 1867. The performance was enthusiastically received by the public, but failed to outperform" Faust "in commercial success.
"Marche pontificale"was created in 1869 and marked the author's return to basics, that is, a kind of removal from secularism and another appeal to sacred music. After 80 years, the Catholic stronghold of the Vatican, represented by Pope Pius XII, chose this march as its official national anthem.
Charles Gounod throughout his life, as a true ardent Catholic, he strove for humility and strict fulfillment of the duty that Providence had prepared for him. However, like any person living in society, he was not spared from temptation, but he managed to pacify passions and send them to the creative channel. Masses, oratorios, motets - not only the influence of uncompromising IS is guessed in them. Baha. In these works, the personal experiences of Gounod, responsive to the world around us, seeking blessing and acquiring it in every sound chained in the musical notation of a working score, found their reflections.
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