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Born: December 13, 1922 - Paris, France
Died: April 3, 1991 - Garches (Hauts-de-Seine), Paris, France |
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The noted French harpsichordist, pianist and teacher, Robert Veyron-Lacroix, was son of a French industrialist, and revealed unusual musical talent at an early age. He studied with Marcel Samuel-Rousseau and Yves Nat at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he became proficient on a number of instruments. While sill a student he set a record by winning an unprecedented number of premier prix in piano, harpsichord, harmony, counterpoint, accompaniment, solfeggio and theory.
After making his formal debut in a concert broadcast on the French Radio in 1949, Robert Veyron-Lacroix pursed a career as a soloist, as chamber music artist and with orchestra. He was a regular guest performer at most major festivals, from Granada to Edinburgh. Extensive tours took him to Africa, Latin and North America and the Far East. While he was particularly known for his interpretations of early music, he frequently programmed modern pieces, including those of Falla, Francis Poulenc, Mihauld, Joilvet, Ohana and Françaix. His solo records of works for harpsichord won several Grand Prix du Disque - in 1954, 1955, 1960, 1964 and 1965.
Robert Veyron-Lacroix became closely associated with the flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal. They performed as a duo for almost 40 years, in concerts around the world and on many recordings, five of which were awarded the Grand Prix du Disque. They made their first American appearance at the Library of Congress in 1958 and last performed in New York in February 1981. He also recorded with other musicians like the cellist Paul Tortelier and the oboist Pierre Pierlot.
Robert Veyron-Lacroix taught at the Schola Cantorum in Paris (1956) and the Nice International Academy (1959). He was a professor at the Conservatoire National Interieur de Musique in Paris from 1967 to 1988. He has done considerable research on old music, editing and reviving many compositions, and was the author of Recherches de musique anciene (Paris, 1955). He died in 1991, 68 years old, after a long illness. |
