Marcel Moyse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marcel Moyse
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 17, 1889 St. Amour, France |
| Died | November 1, 1984 (aged 95) Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Soloist, virtuoso, teacher |
| Instruments | Flute |
Marcel Moyse (say moh-EEZ) was a famous French flutist who lived from 1889 to 1984. He was known for his amazing flute playing and for being a wonderful teacher. Many people around the world learned from him.
Moyse studied at the famous Paris Conservatory in France. His teachers were some of the best flutists of their time, like Philippe Gaubert, Adolphe Hennebains, and Paul Taffanel. Moyse played the main flute in many orchestras in Paris. He also performed alone as a soloist and made many recordings. His flute sound was very clear, flexible, and strong, with a special fast vibrato. This style of playing, called the 'French style,' became very important and influenced how flutists play all over the world today.
Later in his life, Moyse taught at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal. He also helped start the Marlboro Music School and festival in Vermont, USA. Moyse wanted to teach his students "not how to play the flute, but to make music." Some of his famous students include James Galway, Paula Robison, and Trevor Wye. Moyse also wrote many important books for flute players, such as De la Sonorite and Tone Development Through Interpretation.
Contents
Becoming a Flute Master
Marcel Moyse moved to Paris in 1904 when he was a teenager. He lived with his uncle, Joseph Moyse, who was a cellist in a respected orchestra. Living with his uncle helped Marcel see what life was like for a professional musician. Joseph wanted Marcel to learn about Parisian life and find his path.
At first, Marcel explored Paris, visiting museums and concerts. He even thought he wanted to be a sculptor! But Joseph had other plans. He bought Marcel a new flute and made him practice for 45 minutes several times a day. Joseph also took Marcel to orchestra rehearsals and concerts. This helped Marcel see what was possible for his future in music.
In May 1904, Joseph introduced Marcel to Adolphe Hennebains, a well-known flute teacher. Hennebains was impressed with Marcel's talent and took him as a student. This was a big step for Marcel toward getting into the Paris Conservatory.
Studying at the Paris Conservatory
Marcel made quick progress with Hennebains. After just a few months, he was invited to listen in on Paul Taffanel's class at the Paris Conservatory. Taffanel was a very respected teacher, even though he had stopped playing the flute himself. Moyse learned a lot from Taffanel.
In the fall of 1905, Moyse auditioned for the Paris Conservatory and earned a spot in the flute class. He was only 16! In 1906, after just one year of training, Moyse played a new exam piece called Nocturne et Allegro scherzando by Philippe Gaubert. He played it beautifully, showing off his expressive sound and quick technique. At 17, Moyse won first prize and was ready for a professional career.
Moyse was one of the few flutists in the Conservatory's history to win first prize in just one year. But he felt his playing still needed more polish. He asked Hennebains for more lessons, but his former teacher said he was already a great artist. So, Moyse went to Philippe Gaubert, who was also a famous flutist. Gaubert was happy to teach him privately. Moyse studied with Gaubert for about four years. Moyse remembered Gaubert as a "natural musician" who played without even thinking about it.
A Flourishing Career
After leaving the Conservatory, Moyse practiced hard and found many chances to perform. He even practiced music written for solo violin and cello to help him develop a rich, deep sound on his flute.
In 1913, Moyse toured the United States with a famous singer named Nellie Melba. Soon after, World War I began. Moyse was not able to join the army because he often got pneumonia. This was a challenging time for him.
From 1916 to 1918, a famous composer named Nadia Boulanger invited Moyse to play in her music analysis classes. Moyse became the main flute soloist at the Opéra Comique in Paris. He also applied for the solo flute position at the Paris Opera to challenge himself. He was offered the job but turned it down because it would have stopped him from visiting his home village of St. Amour. Moyse's career continued to grow, and he became the first flutist with the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire.
The Moyse Trio
In 1934, the famous Moyse Trio was formed. Marcel Moyse was the leader, playing the flute. His wife, Blanche Honegger Moyse, played violin and viola. Their son, Louis, played both flute and piano. The Moyse Trio performed and made recordings for the next 20 years.
In 1932, Moyse took over from Philippe Gaubert as a professor at the Paris Conservatory. He also became a professor at the Geneva Conservatoire from 1933 to 1949. This meant he traveled to Geneva every week. Since Geneva was close to St. Amour, he could visit his beloved hometown more often.
By 1936, Moyse was at the peak of his career. He received the Legion of Honour, a very important award in France, for his contributions to music. He traveled widely, performing and recording in many major European cities, including London. In 1938, he was invited to play at the Tanglewood Festival in the United States. The Moyse Trio was also invited by the famous conductor Arturo Toscanini to play on NBC Radio in New York.
Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, even when he could barely play the flute himself, Marcel Moyse continued to teach. Each year, he traveled to his birthplace, St. Amour, with some of his students. They stayed at a hotel where Moyse gave them flute lessons. Today, the square in front of that hotel is named Place Marcel Moyse in his honor.
Marcel Moyse passed away on November 1, 1984, at the age of 95. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Amour Church in France.
His death marked the end of an important time in flute playing. Many generations of flutists were deeply influenced by his playing and his teaching. People held many concerts and events to remember him. These included memorial concerts in London and Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1985. In 1989, on what would have been his 100th birthday, there was a "Marcel Moyse Centennial Celebration" in Vermont and a "Flute Celebration" in London. Many articles were written about him in flute magazines, and a successful Marcel Moyse Society was formed in the U.S.A.
Recordings
- The Complete Works of the Great Flutist – a five CD set of his recordings, including his studies, flute solos, and chamber music.
- Flute Fantastique
- Marcel Plays Mozart – featuring flute concertos by Mozart and a sonata by J.S. Bach.
- Marcel Moyse and Marlboro Alumni – a rare CD where Moyse conducts Mozart's Serenade No. 10.
See also
In Spanish: Marcel Moyse para niños
- Louis Moyse
Archives
The Marcel Moyse Papers are kept at the Music Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City. This collection includes rare photos, letters from famous musicians, unpublished study books, and audio and video recordings of his lessons.
