René Abjean
René Abjean is a French composer associated with Breton revivalist choral music.
Life
Born in Brest, René Abjean made his début as a musician in the choir of Plouguerneau in 1953. At age 17, he created his first vocal work as part of a choral group Ar Baganiz, a precursor of the Breton revivalism of An Triskell, for which he made many arrangements. He co-founded the Cercle Breton de Brest, and organised the Festival International des Cornemuses at Brest from 1969.In 1974, he published a monograph on Breton music, wrote for several journals and contributed the chapter on Breton music in L'Histoire littéraire et culturelle de la Bretagne. In 1975, he took over the leadership of the Ploudalmézeau choir, and in 1977 of that at Le Folgoët. These were later reconstituted as the "Ensemble Choral du Bout du Monde", which he led until he passed it to Jo Le Gad in 1988.
In 1977, with Pierre-Yves Moign, he founded the "Centre Breton d'Art Populaire" in Brest, over which he presided from 1979 to 1981; he was also associated with the creation of Radio Bretagne Ouest. He was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences from 1997 to 1999. He was decorated with the Order of the Ermine. He is married to Marie Kermarec.