Categories
Romantic French

GODARD, Benjamin

Banjamin Godard, photographed in 1882.

Born in Paris, Aug 18, 1849
Died in Cannes, Jan 10, 1895

  • Godard was a musical prodigy who entered the Paris Conservatory at 14.1
  • Godard composed symphonies, operas and other large-scale works, but today is best known for his salon music and songs.2
  • Godard was also well known for his performances of chamber music as a violist.3
  • It has been suggested that Godard’s early death from tuberculosis may have contributed to his relative obscurity today, by preventing him from reaching full maturity as a composer.4

Biography

Sources

  1. Peter Avis, “Berceuse de Jocelyn,” from liner notes to Casals Encores, Alban Gerhardt, Cecile Licad, Hyperion CDA67831, CD, 2011.
  2. Richard Langham Smith, “Godard, Benjamin,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed October 10, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000011326.
  3. Peter Avis, “Berceuse de Jocelyn,” from liner notes to Casals Encores, Alban Gerhardt, Cecile Licad, Hyperion CDA67831, CD, 2011.
  4. Richard Langham Smith, “Godard, Benjamin,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed October 10, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000011326.

Pieces