Gédalge, André
Gédalge, André
Gédalge, André, eminent French pedagogue and composer; b. Paris, Dec. 27, 1856; d. Chessy, Feb. 5, 1926. He began to study music rather late in life, and entered the Paris Cons, at the age of 28. However, he made rapid progress, and obtained the 2nd Prix de Rome after a year of study (with Guiraud). He then elaborated a system of counterpoint, later publ. as Traité de la fugue (Paris, 1901; Eng. tr., 1964), which became a standard work. In 1905 he became a prof. of counterpoint and fugue at the Paris Cons.; among his students were Ravel, Enesco, Koechlin, Roger-Ducasse, Milhaud, and Honegger. He also publ. Les Gloires musicales du monde (1898) and other pedagogic works. As a composer, he was less significant. Among his works are a pantomime, Le Petit Savoyard (Paris, 1891), an opera, Pris au piège (Paris, 1895), and 3 operas that were not performed: Sita, La Farce du Cadi, and Hélène. He also wrote 3 syms., several concertos, some chamber music, and songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire