Description

PAUL BAZELAIRE (SEDAN, ARDENNES, 4 MARCH, 1886 – PARIS, FRANCE, 11 DECEMBER, 1958)

 

 

 

 

His father was a distinguished writer, who won many prizes for literature and poetry in France and Belgium. His mother and grandmother were both good musicians, and taught him his first lessons in theory and piano. He began studying the cello at the age of seven thanks to H. Clarival, the excellent Director of the Philharmonic Company of Sedan, his city of birth. When he was ten years old Bazelaire began his studies at the Paris Academy. He was an accomplished pianist, as well as a cello prodigy, and at first could not make up his mind which on which instrument to concentrate. Finally he decided to enter the the class of the cello professor, Delsart. He made his debut at the age of eleven in his hometown, Sedan, on December 18, 1897. That same year he took first prize in cello at the Academy. At the age of 17 (as a student of Xavier Leroux) he won first prize in harmony, and two years later, when he was 19, he won first prize in composition and counterpoint. In the meantime he had become a seasoned master of the cello. He immediately began a concert soloist career, and traveled extensively in Poland, Russia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Tunisia, England, and Belgium. He had great success at the Academies of Pétrograd and Moscow, and with the Philharmonic societies of Warsaw, Lodz, Cracow, Prsemysil, Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg. He also performed with the orchestras of Covent Garden, in London,Manchester, Rome, and Pisa, Italy. Continuing his concert career, he also became a well-known teacher. He was appointed professor with the National Academy of Paris in 1918 at the age of 32 years, where he attracted and trained many student cellists. He authored several significant works on the relationship between technique and interpretation, and gave new life to the modern French school of the violoncello. Included among his disciples are Pierre Baker, Bernard Michelin, Reine Flachot, Guy Fallot, Roger Albin, Genevieve Trip Hammer and many others, all eminent virtuosos whose glory flashes back on their spiritual father. He created a unique ensemble of fifty cellists, which became famous all over France, and even around the world. This group participated in the “Farewell Concert” for Pablo Casals on October 1, 1956 at the Sorbonne. Casals directed an orchestra of 100 cellists, and Bazelaire and his students contributed much to this wonderful event. Bazelaire was a good friend of Pablo Casals, who entrusted to him the presidency of the international Pablo Casals contest. Other judges included A. Fritz, Gaspar Cassado, Pierre Baker, Sadlo and other great cellists. One of the entrants was a young Mstislav Rostropovich. Paul Bazelaire was given many Awards, including: Officer of the Legion of Honour, Officer of the cultural merit Monegasque by prince Rainier III of Monaco, Member of the Company of the Authors and Type-setters, President of the Union of the Violoncellists of France, Professor with the American Academy of Fountainebleau, and He was a co-author of the Larousse Dictionary of Music.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Aria (Bazelaire) with Pierre Pasquier (Alto) Lumen 35026 YV 58
2. Rêverie (Debussy) Lumen 35026 YV 59
3. Trio N°3 pour piano, violon, violoncelle, op110 – 1er mvt, 1ère partie (Schumann) with Lucien Wurmser (piano), André Asselin (Violin) Odeon 123858 xxP 7380
4. Trio N°3 pour piano, violon, violoncelle, op110 – 1er mvt, 2e partie (Schumann) with Lucien Wurmser (piano), André Asselin (Violin) Odeon 123858 xxP 7381
5. Trio N°3 pour piano, violon, violoncelle, op110 – 2e mvt, 1ère partie (Schumann) with Lucien Wurmser (piano), André Asselin (Violin) Odeon 123859 xxP 7382
6. Trio N°3 pour piano, violon, violoncelle, op110 – 2e mvt, 2e partie ; 3e mvt (Schumann) with Lucien Wurmser (piano), André Asselin (Violin) Odeon 123859 xxP 7383
7. Trio N°3 pour piano, violon, violoncelle, op110 – 4e mvt, 1ère partie (Schumann) with Lucien Wurmser (piano), André Asselin (Violin) Odeon 123860 xxP 7384
8. Trio N°3 pour piano, violon, violoncelle, op110 – 4e mvt, 2e partie (Schumann) with Lucien Wurmser (piano), André Asselin (Violin) Odeon 123860 xxP 7385
9. Sonate pour violoncelle et piano n°1, op 32 – 1ère partie, Allegro (Saint-Saëns) with I. Philipp Pathé CPTX68
10. Sonate pour violoncelle et piano n°1, op 32 – 2e partie, Allegro (fin) (Saint-Saëns) with I. Philipp Pathé CPTX68
11. Sonate pour violoncelle et piano n°1, op 32 – 3e partie, Andante tranquillo (Saint-Saëns) with I. Philipp Pathé CPTX68
12. Sonate pour violoncelle et piano n°1, op 32 – 4e partie, Andante tranquillo (fin) (Saint-Saëns) with I. Philipp Pathé CPTX68
13. Sonate pour violoncelle et piano n°1, op 32 – 5e partie, Allegro moderato (Saint-Saëns) with I. Philipp Pathé CPTX68
14. Sonate pour violoncelle et piano n°1, op 32 – 6e partie, Allegro moderato (fin) (Saint-Saëns) with I. Philipp Pathé CPTX68
15. Il Pastor Fido (Vivaldi) with André Asselin (Violin) Odeon 123921 xxP 7478
16. Adagio (Tartini arr Bazelaire) with Lucien Petitjean (piano) Odeon
17. Menuet (Valensin) Pathé 8719
18. Largo (Kouznetzoff) Pathé 8753 300778
19. Aria di Chiesa (Stradella-Bazelaire) Pathé
20. Passacaille (Haendel-Halvorsen) with Pierre Pasquier (piano) Odeon 188.971 KI11.410