Pierre de Bréville


Pierre Eugène Onfroy de Bréville was a French composer.

Biography

Pierre de Bréville was born in Bar-le-Duc, Meuse. Following the wishes of his parents, he studied law with the goal of becoming a diplomat. However, he abandoned his plans after a few years and entered the Conservatoire de Paris. He began his musical studies with Théodore Dubois, later taking courses under the direction of César Franck.
He became a professor, teaching counterpoint at the Schola Cantorum in Paris. Following a twelve-year break, he taught classes in chamber music composition at the Conservatoire de Paris.
He established himself as a music critic and wrote reviews and commentary in Mercure de France, Le Courrier musical and La Revue blanche. He died in Paris.
Although de Bréville was not prolific, he lavished attention to his own compositions. He also completed the orchestration of César Franck's unfinished opera Ghiselle with Vincent d'Indy and Ernest Chausson.

Selected compositions

;Stage
;Orchestral works
;Concertante
;Chamber music
  • Sonata No.1 in C minor for violin and piano
  • Une flûte dans les vergers for flute and piano
  • Pièce for oboe and piano
  • Poème dramatique for cello and piano
  • Prière for cello and organ
  • Sonatina for oboe and piano
  • Sonata No.2 "Sonate fantaisie en forme de rondeau" for violin and piano
  • Sonata in D minor for cello and piano
  • Fantaisie appassionata for cello and piano
  • Sonata for violin and piano
  • Sonata for violin and piano
  • Sonata for viola and piano
  • Concert à trois for violin, cello, and piano
  • Sonata for violin and piano
  • Fantaisie for guitar
  • Trio à cordes
  • Trio d'anches
;Organ
  • Suite brève for organ
  • Prélude, méditation et prière for organ without pedals
  • Deuxième suite brève en cinq parties for organ
;Piano
  • Fantaisie: Introduction, fugue et finale
  • Portraits de maîtres
  • Impromptu et choral
  • Stamboul: rhythmes et chansons d'Orient, 4 Pieces
  • Prélude et fugue
  • Sonate en ré bémol
  • Sept esquisses
  • Quatre sonates
  • Fantasia appassionata
;Vocal
;Choral

Writings

  • Les Fioretti du père Franck,, a biography of César Franck
  • ''Une histoire du théâtre lyrique en France''