Presents
Théodore Dubois
Decet in D Major
For Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello & Bass
Théodore Dubois' Decet in D Major was composed in his 72ndh year, and shows the compositional excellence that only comes with long years in the service of music. Théodore Dubois (1837-1924) was born in the French town of Rosnay. After an impressive career at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied with Ambroise Thomas, he won the coveted Prix de Rome. Among the many important positions he held during a long career was that of director of the Madeleine, where he succeeded Saint-Saëns, and later of the Paris Conservatory. Among his many students were Paul Dukas and Florent Schmitt. Dubois wrote a considerable amount of music in nearly every genre. Like Saint Saëns, he eschewed impressionism, and continued on in the French Romantic tradition which the former had helped to pioneer. It is characterized by, logic, clarity, fine melody, drama and a refined sense of taste. His music is finely crafted and clearly shows that he was a gifted melodist. It is truly a pity his chamber music is unknown because it is absolutely first rate.
It is not clear why Dubois decided to compose the Decet as it bears no dedication. It is an unusual combination which is generally called a 'Mixed Decet' that is, a work for strings and winds. Very few of such works have been composed and Dubois's certainly was one of the first. The work opens with a somber, somewhat sad, Larghetto introduction in the winds. When the strings enter, the tempo slowly picks up and leads to a genial, gently flowing pastoral sounding Allegro non troppo. The second movement, Larghetto, begins in a calm and reflective mood and for the most part keeps it throughout. The opening of the third movement, Allegretto, with its bassoon ostinato, sounds rather like what Tchaikovsky penned in his Nutcracker Suite. The main section, though constantly moving forward, still remains essentially calm. The somewhat orchestral sounding finale, Allegretto, is upbeat and light-hearted.
We realize that it is not often that ten players are assembled to play and perform such works. That being the case, an evening of more than one such work would surely be appreciated. To this end, we warmly recommend the Decet by Gustav Helsted, which we offer and which is not only for the exact same instrumentation but also in the same key. Long out of print, it is with pleasure that we reintroduce it.
| (A) Parts US Addresses | $99.95 |
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| (B) Parts & Score US Addresses | $179.95 |
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| (C) Parts Non US Addresses | $129.95 |
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| (C) Parts & Score Non US Address | $199.95 |
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