Louis Durey 1888-1979

[giles.enders]

Such a long life for so meagre a talent!

[Mark Thomas]

Ouch!

[John H White]

Such a long life for so meagre a talent!

Giles, could you expand on your remarks please. I've never heard of this chap or his music.

[eschiss1]

Hrm. Member of Les six, one of the two least known I'd guess.

Well, there's a list of works at http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Durey but I know none of the music. (They have a few works of his in score and recording over at the music library at the Uni. campus near where I live - his op.35 a and b duos for violin and cello and violin and viola, his opera Occasion, recordings that include flute music and songs of his with those of other members of Les Six, also a wind ensemble compilation that includes his op.96 Soirées de Valfère (1963) for wind quintet; so I could give it a go I guess.)
Eric

[giles.enders]

Durey had a flying start as one of 'Les Six'.  Whenever they are referred to his name is included, Hyperion records had a cd of his songs which I note they have now withdrawn.  Auric, Poulenc and the others from Les Six, all had lasting composing careers. helped with publicity by Cocteau and Diaghilev, and Durey just failed to compose anything memorable.

[Mark Thomas]

So, the French Cesar Cui, then?