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'''Ernest Chausson''' (1855-1899), [[French]] [[composer]], came from a well-off and cultured family and trained for the law before turning to music.
Whilst studying with [[Jules Massenet]] at the [[Paris]] Conservatoire he joined the circle of [[Cesar Franck]] supporters, and much of his early music is influenced by Massenet, Franck and, as was often the case at that time, by [[Wagner]].
Later, he found his own voice, which was one of intense orchestral colour combined with sensitivity and a delicacy that was admired by no less a master than [[Claude Debussy]]. It is for these works that he is known today, certain beautifully formed chamber pieces , some songs in the [[melodie]] tradition and two works in particular: the evocative and moving ''“Poéme”'' for violin and orchestra, written for the [[virtuoso]] violinist, Ysaye - of the most important pieces for violin and orchestra in the French repertoire; [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OE1TmSvpF4]] and the moving, often [[rhapsody|rhapsodic]] ''Poème de l'amour et de la mer'' (''“Poem of love and the sea”'') two linked songs for soprano and orchestra, the orchestral writing looking forward to [[Debussy]] and [[Ravel]] in its ability to evoke mental images. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUtGg9LvlDE]]
By the time Chausson died - killed in a bicycle accident at age 44 - he was writing in a style distinctively his own and unmistakably French.
(Category: Composers]]
{{DIRECTSORT: Chausson, Ernest}}