Lili Boulanger was born in 1893 into a musical family. Her father was a composer and voice teacher, and her older sister Nadia had a long, successful career as a composer and pianist. The sisters were close, studying theory and composition together at the Paris Conservatoire; in 1913, Lili became the first woman to win the prestigious Prix de Rome for her composition Faust et Hélène. With the prize came public recognition and more opportunities to publish her works and have them performed. She died in 1918 at the age of 24, leaving a catalog of works. Cortège is a very short work for violin and piano written in 1914 while she was living in Rome. While the term "cortège" usually refers to a solemn march, this delightful piece has a sunny, dance-like character. She dedicated it to her friend, violinist Yvonne Astruc, who first performed and recorded it. Heather Wittels
Classical Music | Violin Music
Lili Boulanger
Cortège Play
Recorded on 04/16/2014, uploaded on 09/24/2014
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Lili Boulanger was born in 1893 into a musical family. Her father was a composer and voice teacher, and her older sister Nadia had a long, successful career as a composer and pianist. The sisters were close, studying theory and composition together at the Paris Conservatoire; in 1913, Lili became the first woman to win the prestigious Prix de Rome for her composition Faust et Hélène. With the prize came public recognition and more opportunities to publish her works and have them performed. She died in 1918 at the age of 24, leaving a catalog of works. Cortège is a very short work for violin and piano written in 1914 while she was living in Rome. While the term "cortège" usually refers to a solemn march, this delightful piece has a sunny, dance-like character. She dedicated it to her friend, violinist Yvonne Astruc, who first performed and recorded it. Heather Wittels
More music by Lili Boulanger
Lili Boulanger: Clairières dans le ciel Nr. 7
D'un matin de printemps
Two Pieces for Violin and Piano
Pie Jesu
Performances by same musician(s)
"It Ain't Necessarily So," from Porgy and Bess
Romanian Folk Dances
Polonaise Brillante in A Major, Op. 21
Bess, You Is My Woman Now, from Porgy and Bess
Violin sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100
Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94 bis
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.