Alfred Desenclos French composer. Date of Birth: 07.02.1912 Country: France

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career Beginnings
3. Friendship with Honegger
4. Saxophone Compositions
5. Requiem and Plagiarism Scandal
6. Family Legacy

Early Life and Education

French composer Jean Desenclos was born in 1906. Despite financial constraints, he began studying music professionally at the Rubé Conservatory in 1929. In 1932, he continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory.

Career Beginnings

Desenclos led the choir at the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette church in Paris during the 1930s. In 1942, he received the prestigious Rome Prize. From 1943 to 1950, he directed the Rubé Conservatory before becoming a teacher in Paris.

Friendship with Honegger

Desenclos established a close friendship with fellow composer Arthur Honegger, who praised him as "an excellent musician."

Saxophone Compositions

Desenclos gained recognition for his compositions featuring the saxophone, including the "Quartet for Four Saxophones" (1964) and "Prelude, Cadence, and Finale" (1956) for saxophone and piano.

Requiem and Plagiarism Scandal

Desenclos' "Requiem" (1961) became the subject of a scandal in 2001. French expat Tristan Foison falsely claimed it as his own work, leading to a "premiere" performance by the Capitol Hill Chorale in Washington, D.C. The plagiarism was discovered by an astute listener.

Family Legacy

Desenclos' son, organist Frédéric Desenclos, recorded the first version of his father's "Requiem" with the "Stihia" Chamber Choir.