HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Théodore Dubois

Birth of Classical Music: Theodore Dubois

Théodore Dubois

Born on 24 August 1837 in Rosnay in northeastern France, Théodore Dubois wrote works for chamber, orchestra and operas along with a couple ballets and sacred music including masses. Among the more obscure composers, Dubois is an apt example of firm French academia during the Romantic period. He initially studied at Reims cathedral under Louis Fanart, then the Paris Conservatoire under composer, Ambroise Thomas ('Mignon', 'Hamlet'). Winning the Prix de Rome scholarship in 1861 found Dubois studying in Italy. Returning to Paris in 1866, Dubois became choirmaster at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde where he wrote his oratorio, 'The Seven Last Words of Christ' in 1867. The final movement of nine of that is the prayer, 'Adoramus te, Christe' ('Christ, We Do All Adore Thee'), the original Latin text of which may well precede 990 AD by an unknown author. It was translated into English by Theodore Baker in 1899.

'Adoramus te, Christe' ('Christ, We Do All Adore Thee') Théodore Dubois

Conclusion to the oratorio 'The Seven Last Words of Christ' 1867

Text by anonymous English by Theodore Baker 1899

The Diligam Ensemble / Chambersburg PA

General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church IMSLP

'Adoramus te, Christe' ('Christ, We Do All Adore Thee') Théodore Dubois

Conclusion to the oratorio 'The Seven Last Words of Christ' 1867

Michael Eldridge

General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church IMSLP

Dubois joined the National Guard upon the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. He became a founding member of the Société Nationale de Musique in 1871, the year he began teaching at the Paris Conservatoire, becoming choirmaster at the Church of the Madeleine as well. He there assumed his close friend, Saint-Saens', position as organist in 1877. Dubois premiered his oratorio, his 'Le Paradis Perdu', in Paris in 1878. Eight years later he published 'Douze Pieces pour Orgue' (Twelve Pieces for Organ') in 1886. Among his masses, he finished 'Messe Breve in F' in 1893 toward publishing circa 1900.

'Le Paradis Perdu' ('Paradise Lost') Oratorio by Théodore Dubois

Premiere 27 Nov 1878 in Paris

Libretto: Édouard Blau (1836-1906) after John Milton's eponymous poem of 1667

Les Siècles w Les Cris de Paris / Geoffroy Jourdain

IMSLP

'Toccata' G major Théodore Dubois 1889 Pub 1886

Organ: David Patrick

Hyperion IMSLP

'Messa Breve' F major Mass by Théodore Dubois 1889 Pub c 1900

Camerata Instrumentale / Johanneschor Oldenburg

IMSLP

In 1896 Dubois relieved Thomas (above) as director of the Paris Conservatoire until 1905. His five prose works in theory include his academic 'Treatise on Counterpoint and Fugue' published in 1901 in Paris by Heugel [IMSLP]. Of Dubois' three symphonies, his first, 'Symphonie Francaise', arrived in 1908. His second saw print in 1913 (Heugel). He dedicated his third symphony to Saint-Saens in 1915.

'Piano Concerto No.2' F minor Théodore Dubois

Pub 1897 Premiere 30 Jan 1898 at the Paris Opea

Les Siècles / François-Xavier Roth

IMSLP Hyperion

'Piano Quartet' A minor Théodore Dubois Pub 1904

Violin: Matthew Vousé Viola: Hannah Wendorf

Cello: Elmer Carter Piano: Tsz Yan Chau

San Francisco Conservatory of Music 1 Dec 2023

IMSLP

'Cello Sonata' D major Théodore Dubois 1905 Pub 1906

Cello: Yasutaka Takeuchi Piano: Satomi Hayakawa

San Francisco Conservatory of Music 1 Dec 2023

IMSLP

'Symphonie Française' F minor Théodore Dubois

Pub 1908 Premiere Nov 1909

Les Siècles / François-Xavier Roth

Bru Zane Palace Classical Music Guide Fugue for Thought

IMSLP Musikproduktion Jürgen Höflich

'Symphonie No.2' D major Théodore Dubois

1911 Pub 1913

Brussels Philharmonic / Hervé Niquet

IMSLP

'Symphonie No.3 A minor Théodore Dubois

Pub 1915

Jupiter Symphony Orchestra / Jens Nygaard

IMSLP

Dubois authored several more works including a quartet, a waltz and some hymns before passing away on 11 June 1924 in Paris, preceded by his wife the year before, by Saint-Saens in 1921.

Sources & References for Théodore Dubois:

VF History (notes) Wikipedia English

Audio of Dubois: Corpora:

Classical Archives

Dubois Association (Français)

Hyperion

MuziekWeb (Dutch)

Naxos

Presto

Authorship (5 works in theory): Wikipedia

Treatise on Counterpoint and Fugue / 1901:

Gallica Google Books IMSLP Internet Archive