Jean Absil

Jean Absil (23 October 1893 – 2 February 1974)^[1] was a Belgian composer, organist, and professor at the Brussels Conservatoire.

Biography

Absil was born in Bonsecours, Hainaut, Belgium. His teacher there was Alphonse Oeyen, organist at the basilica of Bonsecours. From 1913 he studied organ and harmony at the Brussels Conservatoire, but upon graduating, decided to concentrate on composition instead.

In 1922 Absil won the Belgian Prix de Rome and in 1934 the Prix Rubens, which allowed him to travel to Paris. Here, he met fellow contemporary composers Ibert, Milhaud, and Honegger. Absil gained international prominence with the premiere of his first piano concerto (op. 30), composed for the 1938 Queen Elizabeth Competition for Piano (Ysaye), for which it was the compulsory piece for all finalists.^[2] Only one of those, Moura Lympany, who won second prize (after Emil Gilels), performed the piece entirely from memory mistake free.

From 1930 onwards, Absil taught harmony at the Brussels Conservatoire, becoming a professor of counterpoint there six years later. Amongst his Conservatoire pupils was Paul Danblon. He also taught at Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth and the Etterbeek Music School. During this period also, he was, with Charles Leirens, the first editor of the Revue Internationale de Musique (1936–1952).^[3] From 1955 he served as a member of Belgium's Royal Academy. He died in Brussels at the age of 80.

Compositions

Initially, Absil was influenced by the late Romantic school, particularly Wagner and Richard Strauss. Around the time he made his trip to Paris in 1934, he began to adopt a more modern style. This included the use of polyphony and polymodal structures, influenced by contemporary composers such as Milhaud and Schoenberg.^[4]

The ear never suffers from an impression of tonal insecurity when listening to Absil's music: while it is no longer possible to find a reference to the classical major or minor tonalities, the composer invents new modes, which he replaces for each piece. From these modes emerge chords which, even if they are different from the classical ones, also have an expressive sense (tension or resolution). Absil never practised a real atonality: the apparent tonal independence of the voices always resolves itself into a unique tonality.^[5]

Unusually prolific from his 20s to his late 70s, Absil concentrated especially on writing piano works; he was himself a skilled pianist. These works include Ballade, op. 129, for solo piano (which is played with the left hand only) as well as 3 Pièces (played with the right one only). Among his conventionally two-handed piano compositions are three sonatinas (written in 1937, 1939, and 1965 respectively) and two Grand Suites. The Grand Suites (Op.110, composed in 1965) served as a tribute to Frédéric Chopin. In 1946, he composed another work, Hommage à Schumann and in 1957 the Passacaglia in Memoriam Alban Berg, both of them for piano. His last finished composition was the Piano Concerto no. 3, op. 162.

Non-piano music of Absil's includes one opera, Les Voix de la mer, and a cycle of five symphonies, the first of which (op. 1) he composed at 27, when he was a pupil of Paul Gilson. It won the Prix Agniez in 1921.

List of works (alphabetical)

Based on the list of scores available at the Belgian Documentation Centre for Contemporary Music:

A cloche-pied op. 139 – 1968, for children's voice and piano
Alcools op. 43 – 1940, for 4 mixed voices a cappella
Allegro brillante op. 132 – 1967, for 2 pianos
Allegro brillante op. 132 – 1967, for piano and orchestra
Alternances op. 140 – 1968, for piano
Asymétries op. 136 – 1968, for 2 pianos
Ballade op. 129 – 1966, for piano (left hand)
Ballade op. 156 – 1971, for alto saxophone, piano and small orchestra
Berceuse – 1932, for alto saxophone or viola or cello and small orchestra
Berceuse – 1932, for cello or viola or alto saxophone and piano
Bestiaire op. 58 – 1944, for mixed Choir a cappella
Burlesque op. 100 – 1958, for oboe and piano
Cache-cache op. 117 – 1963, for middle voice and piano
Chaconne op. 69 – 1949, for violin
Chanson de quatre sous – 1942, for middle voice and piano
Chansons de bonne humeur op. 49 – 1942, for two-part women's choir (S.-Mz.) and orchestra
Chansons de bonne humeur op. 49 – 1942, for two-part women's choir and piano
Chansons plaisantes – 2e recueil op. 94 – 1956, for two-part children's choir and piano
Chansons plaisantes op. 88 – 1955, for 2 children's voices
Cimetière – 1927, for middle voice and piano
Cinq bagatelles op. 61 – 1944, for piano
Cinq chansons de Paul Fort op. 18 – 1935, for 2 equal voices and piano
Cinq choeurs – 1930, for three-part women's choir and piano
Cinq mélodies – 1927, for middle voice and piano
Cinq mélodies op. 12 – 1933, for Mezzo-Soprano and string quartet
Cinq pièces faciles op. 138 – 1968, for clarinet or alto saxophone and piano
Colas Chacha – ?, for large orchestra
Colindas op. 87 – 1955, for three-part choir a cappella
Concert à cinq op. 38 – 1939, for flute, violin, viola, cello and diatonic harp
Concertino op. 42 – 1940, for cello and orchestra
Concertino op. 42 – 1940, for cello and piano
Concertino op. 122 – 1964, for viola and piano
Concertino op. 122 – 1964, for viola and string orchestra
Concerto grosso op. 60 – 1944, for wind quintet and string orchestra
Concerto n°2 op. 124 – 1964, for violin and orchestra
Concerto n°2 op. 124 – 1964, for violin and piano
Concerto n°2 op. 131 – 1967, for 2 pianos
Concerto n°2 op. 131 – 1967, for piano and orchestra
Concerto n°3 op. 162 – 1973, for 2 pianos
Concerto n°3 op. 162 – 1973, for piano and orchestra
Concerto op. 11 – 1933, for violin and orchestra
Concerto op. 11 – 1933, for violin and piano
Concerto op. 30 – 1937, for 2 pianos
Concerto op. 30 – 1937, for piano and orchestra
Concerto op. 54 – 1942, for viola and orchestra
Concerto op. 54 – 1942, for viola and piano
Concerto op. 155 – 1971, for guitar and small orchestra
Contes op. 76 – 1951, for trumpet and piano
Contrastes op. 143 – 1969, for 2 guitars
Croquis pour un carnaval op. 137 – 1968, for clarinet quartet and diatonic harp
Croquis sportifs op. 85 – 1954, for band
Danses bulgares op. 103 – 1961, for band
Danses bulgares op. 103 – 1959, for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon
Danses bulgares op. 103 – 1959, for piano
De tijd – ?, for Children's choir and piano
Déités op. 160 – 1972, for orchestra
Deux danses rituelles op. 105 – 1960, for small orchestra
Deux mélodies – 1933, for middle voice and piano
Deux poèmes op. 53 – 1942, for Soprano and piano
Divertimento op. 86 – 1955, for saxophone quartet and orchestra
Du rythme à l'expression I op. 108 – 1961, for piano
Du rythme à l'expression II op. 108 – 1961, for piano
Echecs op. 96 – 1957, for piano
Enfantines op. 52 – 1942, for middle voice and piano
Epouvantail op. 74 – 1950, for orchestra
Epouvantail op. 74 – 1950, for piano
Esquisses sur les 7 péchés capitaux op. 83 – 1954, for piano
Etude n°3 – 1963, for concert drum and piano
Etude XI – ?, for 4 timpani and piano
Etude XI – ?, for concert drum and piano
Evasion op. 8 – 1927, for high voice and piano
Fanfares op. 118 – 1963, for band
Fantaisie – Caprice op. 152 – 1971, for alto saxophone and band
Fantaisie – Caprice op. 152 – 1971, for saxophone and piano
Fantaisie – Humoresque op. 113 – 1962, for clarinet and piano
Fantaisie – Humoresque op. 113 – 1962, for clarinet and string orchestra
Fantaisie concertante op. 99 – 1958, for violin and orchestra
Fantaisie concertante op. 99 – 1958, for violin and piano
Fantaisie rhapsodique op. 21 – 1936, for cello quartet
Fantaisie op. 40 – 1939, for violin, viola, cello and piano
Féeries op. 153 – 1971, for piano
Grande suite n°2 op. 110 – 1962, for piano
Grande suite op. 62 – 1944, for piano
Heure de grâce op. 98 – 1958, for high voice and piano
Hommage à Lekeu op. 35/bis – 1939, for orchestra
Hommage à Schumann op. 67 – 1946, for piano
Humoresques op. 126 – 1965, for piano
Images stellaires op. 161 – 1973, for violin and cello
Introduction et Valses op. 89 – 1955, for orchestra
Jeanne d'Arc op. 65 – 1945, for orchestra
L'album à colorier op. 68 – 1948, for two-part children's choir and piano
La mort de Tintagiles op. 3 – 1926, for orchestra
Le chant à l'école op. 144 – 1969, for Choir a cappella
Le chapeau chinois (extr.) op. 64 – 1944, for Tenor and piano
Le chapeau chinois op. 64 – 1944, for opera
Le chapeau chinois op. 64 – 1944, for S. 2T. Bar. B. and piano
Le cirque volant op. 82 – 1953, for choir (2 children's voices), Narrator and piano
Le miracle de Pan op. 71 – 1949, for orchestra
Le miracle de Pan op. 71 – 1949, for piano
Le zodiaque op. 70 – 1949, for piano, choir (4 mixed voices), Soloists and orchestra
Le zodiaque op. 70 – 1949, for Soloists, choir and 2 pianos
Légendes op. 91 – 1956, for band
Les bénédictions op. 48 – 1941, for Soloists, choir and piano
Les bénédictions op. 48 – 1941, for Soloists, choir, large orchestra and organ
Les chants du mort op. 55 – 1943, for mixed vocal quartet and orchestra
Les chants du mort op. 55 – 1943, for mixed vocal quartet and piano – Soprano – Alto – Tenor – Bass
Les météores op. 77 – 1951, for orchestra
Les voix de la mer op. 75 – 1951, for opera
Les voix de la mer op. 75 – 1951, for Soli, mixed choir speech choir and piano
Les voix de la mer: Choeur aérien op. 75 – 1951, for women's choir
Marines op. 36 – 1939, for piano
Mythologie op. 84 – 1954, for large orchestra
Nymphes et faunes op. 130 – 1966, for band
Ouverture op. 75 – 1965, for opera
Passacaille op. 101 – 1959, for piano
Peau d'Ane op. 26 – 1937, for band
Peau d'Ane op. 26 – 1937, for Soloists, speaking parts and orchestra
Peau d'Ane op. 26 – 1937, for theatre music
Peau d'Ane: Air de Peau d'Ane op. 26 – 1937, for Soprano and orchestra
Peau d'Ane: Air de Peau d'Ane op. 26 – 1937, for Soprano and piano
Peau d'Ane: Air du Prince op. 26 – 1937, for Tenor and orchestra
Peau d'Ane: Air du Prince op. 26 – 1937, for Tenor and piano
Peau d'Ane: Air du Roi op. 26 – 1937, for Bass and orchestra
Peau d'Ane: Air du Roi op. 26 – 1937, for Bass and piano
Peau d'Ane: Airs de ballet op. 26 – 1937, for chamber orchestra
Peau d'Ane: Final du 3e acte op. 26 – 1937, for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Tenor, Bass and piano
Peau d'Ane: Suite op. 26 – 1937, for chamber orchestra
Petit bestiaire op. 151 – 1970, for guitar
Petite suite op. 20 – 1935, for band
Petite suite op. 20 – 1935, for chamber orchestra
Petite suite op. 20 – 1935, for fanfare
Petites polyphonies op. 128 – 1966, for 2 equal voices and piano
Phantasmes – 1936, for Contralto, alto saxophone, percussion and piano
Philatélie op. 46 – 1940, for mixed vocal quartet and 14 instruments
Philatélie op. 46 – 1940, for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Tenor, Bass and piano
Pièces caractéristiques op. 123 – 1964, for guitar
Pièces en quatuor op. 35 – 1938, for saxophone quartet
Pierre Breughel l'Ancien op. 73 – 1950, for Soloists, choir and piano
Pierre Breughel l'Ancien op. 73 – 1950, for Soloists, mixed choir, speech choir, Narrator, large orchestra and organ
Poésie et vélocité op. 157 – 1972, for piano
Prélude et barcarolle – ?, for guitar
Printemps op. 59 – 1944, for children's voices with piano accompaniment
Quatre esquisses op. 154 – 1971, for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Quatre pièces op. 150 – 1970, for guitar
Quatre poèmes op. 12 – 1933, for middle voice and piano
Quatuor à clavier op. 33 – 1938, for violin, viola, cello and piano
Quatuor à cordes n°1 op. 5 – 1929, for 2 violins, viola and cello
Quatuor à cordes n°2 op. 13 – 1934, for 2 violins, viola and cello
Quatuor à cordes n°3 op. 19 – 1935, for 2 violins, viola and cello
Quatuor à cordes n°4 op. 47 – 1941, for 2 violins, viola and cello
Quatuor n°2 op. 28 – 1937, for cello quartet
Quatuor op. 31 – 1937, for 4 saxophones
Quatuor op. 132 – 1967, for 4 clarinets
Quintette op. 16 – 1934, for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon
Rêves op. 80 – 1952, for middle voice and piano
Rhapsodie brésilienne op. 81 – 1953, for band
Rhapsodie brésilienne op. 81 – 1953, for orchestra
Rhapsodie bulgare op. 104 – 1960, for orchestra
Rhapsodie flamande op. 4 – 1928, for band
Rhapsodie flamande op. 4 – 1928, for orchestra
Rhapsodie n°2 op. 34 – 1938, for orchestra
Rhapsodie n°5 op. 102 – 1959, for 2 pianos
Rhapsodie n°5 op. 102 – 1959, for band
Rhapsodie n°6 op. 120 – 1963, for horn and piano
Rhapsodie roumaine op. 56 – 1943, for violin and orchestra
Rhapsodie roumaine op. 56 – 1943, for violin and piano
Rites op. 79 – 1952, for band
Roumaniana op. 92 – 1956, for band
Sicilienne – 1950, for flute or clarinet or saxophone and piano or harp
Silhouettes op. 97 – 1958, for flute and piano
Six choeurs I op. 18 – 1935, for children's choir and piano (1 voice)
[divers], for
Six choeurs II op. 18 – 1935, for two-part children's choir and piano
Paul Fort, for
Six poèmes de Maurice Carême op. 109 – 1961, for 3 equal voices
Maurice Carême, for
Sonate op. 115 – 1963, for alto saxophone and piano
Sonate op. 134 – 1967, for violin
Sonate op. 146 – 1970, for violin and piano
Sonatine en duo op. 112 – 1962, for violin and viola
Sonatine n°2 op. 37 – 1939, for piano
Sonatine op. 27 – 1937, for piano
Suite bucolique op. 95 – 1957, for string orchestra
Suite mystique op. 145 – 1969, for flute quartet
Suite n°2 op. 141 – 1968, for cello and piano
Suite pastorale op. 37 – 1939, for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon
Suite pastorale op. 37 – 1939, for piano
Suite sur des thèmes populaires roumains op. 90 – 1956, for saxophone quartet
Suite op. 51 – 1942, for cello and piano
Suite op. 78 – 1952, for trombone, tuba or cello and piano
Suite op. 92 – 1956, for small orchestra
Suite op. 114 – 1963, for guitar
Suite op. 135 – 1967, for 2 guitars
Suite op. 149 – 1970, for trumpet in C or B flat and piano
Sur un paravent chinois op. 147 – 1970, for guitar
Symphonie n°1 en ré mineur op. 1 – 1920, for orchestra
Symphonie n°2 op. 25 – 1936, for large orchestra
Symphonie n°3 op. 57 – 1943, for orchestra
Symphonie n°4 op. 142 – 1969, for large orchestra
Symphonie n°5 op. 148 – 1970, for large orchestra
Tahi – Taho op. 8 – 1932, for middle voice and piano
Thrène op. 66 – 1945, for two-part choir (equal voices), organ and 2 Narrators
Trente études préparatoires à la polyrythmie op. 107 – 1961, for piano
Trente études préparatoires à la polyrythmie op. 107 – 1961, for piano
Trio à cordes n°1 op. 17 – 1935, for violin, viola, cello
Trio à cordes n°2 op. 39 – 1939, for violin, viola, cello
Trio n°2 op. 158 – 1972, for violin, cello and piano
Trio op. 7 – 1931, for violin, cello and piano
Triptyque op. 106 – 1960, for small orchestra
Trois choeurs op. 15 – 1934, for 4 men's voices a cappella
Trois impromptus op. 10 – 1932, for piano
Trois pièces op. 32 – 1938, for piano
Trois pièces op. 32 – 1938, for piano (right hand)
Trois pièces op. 119 – 1963, for 2 guitars
Trois pièces op. 121 – 1964, for bandoneon
Trois Pièces op. 127 – 1965, for organ
Trois poèmes d'Arthur Cantillon op. 9 – 1932, for 4 unaccompanied mixed voices
Trois poèmes de Tristan Klingsor op. 45 – 1940, for middle voice and piano
Trois poèmes de Tristan Klingsor op. 45 – 1940, for middle voice and small orchestra
Trois vocalises op. 116 – 1963, for middle voice and piano
Ulysse et les Sirènes op. 41 – 1939, for 1 Bar., 2 Narr., men's choir, women's choir and piano
Ulysse et les Sirènes op. 41 – 1939, for Soloists (1 Bar., 2 Narrators), men's choir, women's choir and small orchestra
Variations symphoniques op. 50 – 1942, for large orchestra
Variations op. 93 – 1956, for piano
Zoo op. 63 – 1944, for vocal quartet a cappella

References

Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel now houses most works and manuscripts of Absil, after the bankruptcy of CeBeDeM in 2015.

^ Randel, Don Michael, ed. (1996). "Absil, Jean". The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press. pp. 2. ISBN 0-674-37299-9.
^ Chester Novello – article on Jean Absil
^ Huys, B. (1988). Belgian music periodicals; their national and international interest. Fontes Artis Musicae, 35(3), 179-184.
^ Merideth Gailey- Allmusic (accessed 16 September 2007).
^ Diana von Volborth – composer's biography on the web site of the Belgian Documentation Centre for Contemporary Music (accessed 27 July 2008) Archived 18 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine.

[Harvard_Bio-1] Randel, Don Michael, ed. (1996). "Absil, Jean". The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press. pp. 2. ISBN 0-674-37299-9.

[2] Chester Novello – article on Jean Absil

[3] Huys, B. (1988). Belgian music periodicals; their national and international interest. Fontes Artis Musicae, 35(3), 179-184.

[4] Merideth Gailey- Allmusic (accessed 16 September 2007).

[5] Diana von Volborth – composer's biography on the web site of the Belgian Documentation Centre for Contemporary Music (accessed 27 July 2008) Archived 18 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine.

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