Lévy, Alexandre

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Lévy, Alexandre

Lévy, Alexandre, Brazilian composer of French descent; b. São Paulo, Nov. 10, 1864; d. there, Jan. 17, 1892. He studied harmony with Emile Durand at the Paris Cons. His compositions include a Sym., which received a Columbus Celebration prize in 1892, Comala, symphonic poem, Suite brasileira for Orch., chamber music, and piano works (Schumanniana, suite, Allegro appassionato, etc.). Although his music was steeped in the European Romantic tradition and his technique was limited, he appears an important figure in Brazilian music because of his contribution to the nationalist movement in music. He was one of the earliest Brazilian composers to use native folk material in instrumental works.

Bibliography

G. Pimenta, A. L..(São Paulo, 1911).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire