 |
Edmond de CoussemakerFranco-Flemish musicologist
Date of Birth: 19.04.1805
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Musical Education
- Salons and Law Career
- Musicological Studies
- Medieval Music Publications
- Flemish Committee of France
- Later Career
Early Life and Musical Education
François-Auguste Gevaert was born on July 31, 1828, in Ghent, Belgium. From a young age, he displayed a passion for music, playing the violin and cello and becoming a skilled singer. In 1825, he traveled to Paris to pursue legal studies, while also studying musical composition with Antonin Reicha and opera singing.
Salons and Law Career
During his time in Paris, Gevaert composed elegant salon music, including romances and quadrilles, reminiscent of Bellini, Rossini, and Méhul. In 1830, he completed his legal education and returned to northern France, practicing law in Douai and later serving as a judge in Arras and Lille. He continued to perform as a singer in concerts.
Musicological Studies
In 1835, Gevaert began to delve into music history, particularly that of the Middle Ages. He published notable works such as "Histoire de l'harmonie au moyen-âge" (1852) and "Les harmonistes des XIIe et XIIIe siècles" (1864).
Medieval Music Publications
Gevaert compiled the complete works of Adam de la Halle (1872) and edited an anthology of medieval musical treatises titled "Scritorum de musica Medii aevi nova series" (1864-1876), known as CS, building upon Martin Gerbert's earlier anthology.
Flemish Committee of France
In 1853, Gevaert played a pivotal role in establishing the Flemish Committee of France, an organization dedicated to preserving the Flemish language, literature, and culture in northern France. The organization remains active to this day.
Later Career
Gevaert was appointed director of the Royal Conservatory of Liege in 1869 and held the position until his death on August 24, 1908. Throughout his career, he made significant contributions to music education and musicological research. His writings and publications have left a lasting impact on our understanding of medieval music.
