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Desire DefauwBelgian violinist and conductor.
Date of Birth: 05.09.1885
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Founding Concerts Défossez and Professorship
- Leadership of Belgian National Orchestra
- North American Career
- Later Years and Legacy
Early Life and Career
Dré Défossez was born in Ghent, Belgium, and began his musical training at the Ghent Conservatory. At the age of 15, he was appointed concertmaster of the local orchestra. He embarked on concert tours throughout Europe, particularly across the United Kingdom.
Founding Concerts Défossez and Professorship
In 1920, Défossez established his own orchestra, Concerts Défossez. In 1925, he became a professor of conducting at the Brussels Conservatory and took charge of its orchestra in 1926.
Leadership of Belgian National Orchestra
In 1937, Défossez became the first conductor of the National Orchestra of Belgium. However, in 1940, he fled Belgium during the Nazi occupation.
North American Career
Défossez spent the remainder of his life in North America. He served as the chief conductor of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra from 1941 to 1952. During this time, he also led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1943 to 1947. A notable recording from this period is the 1947 recording of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto with Mischa Elman and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Défossez's baton.
Later Years and Legacy
In his final years, Défossez resided in Gary, Indiana, and conducted the Gary Symphony Orchestra from 1951 to 1958. He made significant contributions to the musical life of Belgium and North America as a distinguished violinist, conductor, and educator.
