Dervaux, Pierre

views updated

Dervaux, Pierre

Dervaux, Pierre, noted French conductor and teacher; b. Juvisy-sur-Orge, Jan. 3, 1917; d. Marseilles, Feb. 20,1992. He studied at the Paris Cons, with Philipp, Armand Ferte, Nat, J. and N. Gallon, and Samuel-Roussel. After conducting at the Paris Opéra-Comique (1945–53), he was permanent conductor at the Paris Opéra (1956–70); from 1958 he was also president and chief conductor of the Concerts Colonne in Paris. He was music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec (1968–71), the Orchestre Philharmonique des Pays de la Loire (1971–78), and in Nice (1979–82). He taught at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris (1964–86), the Montreal Cons. (1965–72), and the Nice Academy (1971–82). Dervaux was especially admired for his brilliant and colorful interpretations of the French repertoire. He also composed, producing 2 syms., concertos, chamber music, and piano pieces.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire