Concert - conférence

On the occasion of the 80 years since the passing of composer Émile Goué (1904-1946), the teachers of the conservatory offer a lecture-concert dedicated to his work.

Émile Goué (1904-1946) occupies a singular place in twentieth-century French music. A science teacher and agrégé in physics, he simultaneously pursued intense musical activity and perfected his skills in Paris with Charles Koechlin, after receiving encouragement from Albert Roussel. Mobilized in 1938, he was taken prisoner in 1940 and spent the entire Second World War at Oflag X-B in Nienburg. Despite the conditions of captivity, he organized the musical life of the camp, gave classes and concerts, and composed nearly half of his work. Liberated in 1945, he died the following year, at only 42 years old, following an illness contracted at the camp.

His early style extends French post-romanticism and impressionism, with some openings toward neoclassicism. The period of captivity at Oflag X-B marks a decisive turning point: while sometimes adapting his musical language to the performance abilities of his companions in misfortune, Goué developed writing of great ambition, based notably on Bach's heritage, extended tonality, and polymodality.

On the program: works for piano, string quartet, voice, and other ensembles, offering a chance to discover the various facets of the writing of this still too little-known composer.

The concert presentation will be given by composer and musicologist Philippe Malhaire.

Free admission subject to available seating.