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Rabaud

Henri Rabaud (1873-1949) was a distinguished French composer, conductor, and pedagogue whose elegant works bridged Romantic and modern sensibilities. Born in Paris, Rabaud studied at the Paris Conservatoire under Jules Massenet, winning the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1894.

As a composer, Rabaud is best remembered for his opera Mârouf, savetier du Caire (1914), which remains in the French operatic repertoire. His orchestral and chamber works demonstrate refined craftsmanship, lyrical melodic writing, and a distinctly French clarity of texture. The Solo de concours, Op. 10 for clarinet exemplifies his gift for writing idiomatically for instruments whilst maintaining musical substance.

Beyond composition, Rabaud served as conductor of the Paris Opéra (1908-1918) and director of the Paris Conservatoire (1920-1941), profoundly influencing French musical life. His conducting championed contemporary French composers whilst maintaining the great operatic traditions.

Today, Rabaud's works are experiencing renewed interest, offering performers elegant, rewarding repertoire that deserves wider recognition. His music combines Gallic sophistication with genuine expressive depth—a true pleasure to perform and hear.

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