Born in Paris, Aug 8, 1857
Died in Monte Carlo, April 13, 1944
- Chaminade studied piano as a child with her mother. Her father opposed her enrollment in the Paris Conservatory, so Chaminade studied privately with Conservatory professors, including Benjamin Godard.
- Chaminade composed about 400 works over the course of her life, and almost all of them were published.
- Though most of Chaminade’s works are piano miniatures or songs (which were more marketable for a woman composer), she also composed larger works: like her Concert Piece for piano and orchestra, and a program symphony entitled Les amazones: Symphonie dramatique, both of which were performed during her lifetime.
- Chaminade performed extensively as a concert pianist. She was especially popular in the United States, where numerous “Chaminade Clubs” popped up to celebrate her music.1
Biography from the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
Sources
- Marcia J. Citron, “Chaminade, Cécile,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed June 23, 2021, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000005388.
Pieces
- 6 Études de concert, Op. 35
- 6 Romances sans paroles, Op. 76
- Capriccio for Violin and Piano in e minor, Op. 18
- Concertino in D Major for Flute, Op. 107
- Concertstück in c-sharp minor, Op. 40
- La lune paresseuse
- Les sylvains, Op. 60
- Pierrette, Op. 41
- Scarf Dance, Op. 37, No. 3
- Sèrènade aux étoiles, Op. 142
- Sérénade espagnole, Op. 150
- Valse carnevalesque, Op. 73