Paul Dukas

Paul Dukas , 1865-1935, French composer and critic. He was influenced by both the romanticism of Wagner and the impressionism of Debussy. His compositions are few, the best known being a symphonic poem, The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1897), and an opera, Ariane et Barbe-Bleue (1907).

Dukas, Paul (1865–1935) French composer. His best-known work, the orchestral scherzo The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1897), shows his skilful orchestration and individual style. He also wrote the opera Ariane et Barbe-Bleue (1907).

Dukas, Paul (b Paris, 1865; d Paris, 1935). Fr. composer. Awarded 2nd Prix de Rome 1888. Early works influenced by Wagner. Scored major success in 1897 with orch. scherzo L'Apprenti Sorcier. Perhaps his finest work is his opera Ariane et Barbe-Bleu (Paris, 1907) based like Debussy's Pelléas on a Maeterlinck play and finding, like Debussy, symbolic and emotional depths in the text which are luminously translated into mus. Also wrote ballet La Péri (1912), and pf. sonata (1901) said to be the first by a major Fr. composer. Prof. of orch., Paris Cons. 1910–13, of comp., 1928–35. Wrote much criticism. Pubd. very little mus. after 1920 and destroyed his unpubd. works before he died. Aided Saint-Saëns in completion of Guiraud's opera Frédégonde, orchestrating first 3 acts. Ed. several Rameau operas. Prin. works:OPERA: Ariane et Barbe-Bleu (1899–1906).BALLET: La Péri (1911–12).ORCH.: ov. Polyeucte (1892); sym. in C (1896); L'Apprenti Sorcier (1897); La Péri, suite.CHAMBER MUSIC: Villanelle (hn. and pf.).PIANO: sonata in E♭ minor (1899–1901); Variations, Interlude et Final (sur un thème de Rameau) (1903); Prélude élégiaque (1908); La Plainte au loin du faune (1920).SONG: Sonnet de Ronsard (1924).