La Liberté, (Joseph-François) Alfred

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La Liberté, (Joseph-François) Alfred

La Liberté, (Joseph-François) Alfred, Canadian pianist, teacher, and composer; b. St.-Jean, Quebec, Feb. 10, 1882; d. Montreal, May 7, 1952. After initial training in Canada, he studied at the Stern Cons, in Berlin (1902–06) with Lutzenko (piano), Baeker (harmony), and Klatte (counterpoint and composition). Following a successful recital debut in Montreal in 1906, he met Scriabin in N.Y. in 1907 who suggested that he pursue his piano training with Carreño in Berlin. Subsequently he became Scriabin’s student in Brussels. Upon returning to Montreal in 1911, he became active as a teacher and as a champion of Scriabin’s music. He also became an advocate of the music of Madtner and Dupré. Among La Liberté’s own works were the opera Soeur Béatrice (piano score only), Passacaille et choeur final for Piano, Organ, Orch., and Wordless Chorus (unfinished), La Chanson d’Eve, song cycle for Orch. or Piano, chamber music, and harmonizations of folk songs from several nations.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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La Liberté, (Joseph-François) Alfred

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