Camille Decreus

Camille Léo Ernest Decreus
Background information
Also known as	Camille DeCreus, Camille de Creus
Born	(1876-09-23)23 September 1876 Paris
Died	(1939-09-26)26 September 1939 Fontainebleau
Occupation(s)	Composer and pianist

Camille Léo Ernest Decreus (sometimes spelt as "Camille DeCreus" or "Camille de Creus") (23 September 1876 – 26 September 1939) was a French composer and pianist.

Biography

Decreus was born in Paris and studied with Raoul Pugno at the Paris Conservatory.[1]

He married the talented violinist Renée Chemet on 20 May 1906. This year also marked his solo debut. Since then, he was mainly known as a piano accompanist for other musicians in Europe and America, including his wife and the violinist Eugène Ysaÿe.

Decreus became Director of the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau in or before 1924.[2] During the years at the American Conservatory, many musicians have benefitted from his teaching, including Jane Pickens Hoving,[3] Jane Hobson,[4] Ulvi Cemal Erkin,[5] Humberto Viscarra Monje,[6] Evangeline Marie Lehman[7] and others.

Musical works

As a composer, Decreus is today forgotten. Only about ten short vocal pieces with piano accompaniment or piano solo pieces are attributed as Decreus's compositions.[8] No recordings for any of Decreus's work exist, although information about live performance of his work can be found.[9]

A number of composers dedicated works to Decreus, including:

• Godowsky's concert transcription of Chopin's Waltz Op. 69 No. 1,[10]
• Le Moustique, Op. 66 by Mel Bonis[11]

References

1. under biography of "Renée Henriette Joséphine Chemet". meloclassic.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014..
2. "The World of Music". Etude Magazine, January 1924. Retrieved 2015-02-21..
3. Georgia biographical dictionary (2008-2009 ed.). State History Publications. 2008. p. 416. ISBN 9781878592422..
4. "Jane Hobson (Mezzo-soprano)". Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved 2015-02-21..
5. Biography of "Ulvi Cemal Erkin". Retrieved 2015-02-21..
6. Latin American classical composers: a biographical dictionary (2. ed.). Scarecrow Press. 2002. p. 599. ISBN 978-0810845176.
7. Biography of "Evangeline Marie Lehman". Music Library, University of Michigan. Retrieved 2015-02-21..
8. "List of compositions by Camille Decreus". Bibliothèque nationale de France.
9. "Ysaye to Give Concert Today". San Francisco Call. 1913-05-11. Retrieved 21 February 2015..
10. Liner note of "Leopold Godowsky Piano Music Volume 9". Naxos. Retrieved 2015-02-21..
11. cover image of "Le moustique, Op. 66 by Mel Bonis". ed. Demets..

External links

• Free scores by Camille Decreus at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)