Christian Lauba
Encyclopedia
Christian Lauba is a Tunisia
n born French composer and teacher, especially noted for his compositions for saxophone
. His compositions often incorporate the music of his native North Africa
as well as Japanese influences. He sometimes composes under the name of Jean Matitia, particularly for jazz and rag music
.
. His family later settled in Bordeaux
, France, where he studied languages at the University of Bordeaux
and music at the Conservatory of Bordeaux
with composer Michel Fusté-Lambezat. Early in his compositional career, he also worked with saxophonist Jean-Marie Londeix
. In 1993, he was appointed professor of analysis at the Conservatory. It was here that he composed pieces that had extended techniques for the saxophone including slap tonguing
, circular breathing
, multiphonics, and the altissimo
register. He has also composed literature for other solo instruments as well as ensembles.
He has given master classes in composition and lectured at many universities including Bowling-Green
in Ohio
, Winnipeg in Canada, and the University of Maryland
as well as at several European conservatories including those of Milan
, Madrid
, Lisbon (Conservatório Nacional de Lisboa), and Amsterdam. He chaired the jury of the Gaudeamus International Composers Award
in 1996.
From 2004 to 2007, Lauba was artistic director of the Orchestra National Bordeaux Aquitane and from 2004 to 2006, also its music director. In the 2007/2008 season he was composer in residence with the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse (Mulhouse
Symphony Orchestra), where his New York Concerto (a triple concerto
for saxophone, cello and piano) received its world premiere.
s for saxophones), commissioned by Jean-Marie Londeix and composed between 1992 and 1994, won the SACEM
prize in composition. He has received commissions both from the French state and from a variety of contemporary classical music
ensembles (Diotima Quartet, Cuarteto Casals, Percussion de Strasbourg, Belcea Quartet
, Ensemble Court-Circuit, Ictus Ensemble
, and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble) as well as from larger orchestras, including the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, Orchestre Poitou-Charentes, Orchestre Régional de Cannes, Orchestre Colonne
, MDR Symphony Orchestra
, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, and the Opéra National de Bordeaux.
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
n born French composer and teacher, especially noted for his compositions for saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
. His compositions often incorporate the music of his native North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
as well as Japanese influences. He sometimes composes under the name of Jean Matitia, particularly for jazz and rag music
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
.
Biography
Lauba was born in Sfax, TunisiaSfax
Sfax is a city in Tunisia, located southeast of Tunis. The city, founded in AD 849 on the ruins of Taparura and Thaenae, is the capital of the Sfax Governorate , and a Mediterranean port. Sfax has population of 340,000...
. His family later settled in Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
, France, where he studied languages at the University of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux is an association of higher education institutions in and around Bordeaux, France. Its current incarnation was established 21 March 2007. The group is the largest system of higher education schools in southwestern France. It is part of the Academy of Bordeaux.There are seven...
and music at the Conservatory of Bordeaux
Conservatoire de Bordeaux
The Conservatoire de Bordeaux is an arts conservatory that offers higher education in music, dance, and drama in Bordeaux, France. It is one of the leading schools in France for singers and saxophonists. Founded in 1821, the school is operated by the French Ministry of Culture. -Alumni:*Natalie...
with composer Michel Fusté-Lambezat. Early in his compositional career, he also worked with saxophonist Jean-Marie Londeix
Jean-Marie Londeix
Jean-Marie Londeix is a French saxophonist born in Libourne who studied saxophone, piano, harmony and chamber music.Jean-Marie Londeix studied saxophone with the legendary Marcel Mule at the Paris Conservatory. He also studied with Fernand Oubradous and Norbert Dufourcq, among others...
. In 1993, he was appointed professor of analysis at the Conservatory. It was here that he composed pieces that had extended techniques for the saxophone including slap tonguing
Slap tonguing
In music, the term Slap Tonguing refers to a musician playing a single-reed instrument such as a clarinet or a saxophone employing a technique to produce a popping sound along with the note.-The technique:...
, circular breathing
Circular breathing
Circular breathing is a technique used by players of some wind instruments to produce a continuous tone without interruption. This is accomplished by breathing in through the nose while simultaneously pushing air out through the mouth using air stored in the cheeks.It is used extensively in playing...
, multiphonics, and the altissimo
Altissimo
Altissimo refers to the uppermost register on woodwind instruments. For clarinets, which overblow on odd harmonics, the altissimo notes are those based on the fifth, seventh, and higher harmonics. For other woodwinds, the altissimo notes are those based on the third, fourth, and higher harmonics...
register. He has also composed literature for other solo instruments as well as ensembles.
He has given master classes in composition and lectured at many universities including Bowling-Green
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Winnipeg in Canada, and the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
as well as at several European conservatories including those of Milan
Milan Conservatory
The Milan Conservatory is a college of music which was established by a royal decree of 1807 in Milan, capital of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. It opened the following year with premises in the cloisters of the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Passione. There were initially 18 boarders,...
, Madrid
Madrid Conservatory
-History:The Royal Conservatory of Music was founded on July 15, 1830, by royal decree, and was originally located in Mostenses Square, Madrid. In 1852 it was moved to the Royal Opera, where it remained until the building was condemned by royal order and classes ordered to halt in 1925. For the...
, Lisbon (Conservatório Nacional de Lisboa), and Amsterdam. He chaired the jury of the Gaudeamus International Composers Award
Gaudeamus International Composers Award
The Gaudeamus International Composers Award is a European award issued by the Music Center the Netherlands...
in 1996.
From 2004 to 2007, Lauba was artistic director of the Orchestra National Bordeaux Aquitane and from 2004 to 2006, also its music director. In the 2007/2008 season he was composer in residence with the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse (Mulhouse
Mulhouse
Mulhouse |mill]] hamlet) is a city and commune in eastern France, close to the Swiss and German borders. With a population of 110,514 and 278,206 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2006, it is the largest city in the Haut-Rhin département, and the second largest in the Alsace region after...
Symphony Orchestra), where his New York Concerto (a triple concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
for saxophone, cello and piano) received its world premiere.
Awards and commissions
Lauba won First Prize for composition in the class of Michel Fuste-Lambezat and the Medal of Honor of the City of Bordeaux. In 1994 he won first prize in the Berlin International Composition Competition (Institut für Neue Musik), and his Neuf études pour saxophones (Nine étudeÉtude
An étude , is an instrumental musical composition, most commonly of considerable difficulty, usually designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular technical skill. The tradition of writing études emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano...
s for saxophones), commissioned by Jean-Marie Londeix and composed between 1992 and 1994, won the SACEM
SACEM
SACEM may refer to:* The Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique is a French professional association collecting payments of artists’ rights and distributing the rights to the original authors, composers and publishers...
prize in composition. He has received commissions both from the French state and from a variety of contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
ensembles (Diotima Quartet, Cuarteto Casals, Percussion de Strasbourg, Belcea Quartet
Belcea Quartet
The Belcea Quartet is a string quartet, formed in 1994, under the leadership of violinist Corina Belcea.-History:The quartet was formed while its members were studying at the Royal College of Music in London. Whilst there, they were coached by the Chilingirian Quartet...
, Ensemble Court-Circuit, Ictus Ensemble
Ictus Ensemble
Ictus Ensemble is a Belgian orchestra, founded by Jean-Luc Plouvierin 1994, specialising in Contemporary classical music...
, and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble) as well as from larger orchestras, including the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, Orchestre Poitou-Charentes, Orchestre Régional de Cannes, Orchestre Colonne
Concerts Colonne
The Colonne Orchestra is a French symphony orchestra, founded in 1873 by the violinist and conductor Édouard Colonne.-History:While leader of the Opéra de Paris orchestra, Édouard Colonne was engaged by the publisher Georges Hartmann to lead a series of popular concerts which he founded under the...
, MDR Symphony Orchestra
MDR Symphony Orchestra
The MDR Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest Radio orchestras in the world and the oldest in Germany. It was founded in Leipzig, Germany in 1923 and therefore 9 months earlier than the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra...
, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, and the Opéra National de Bordeaux.
Compositions
- Adria for 2 alto saxophones (1985)
- Blue Rai for solo cello (5 studies for contemporary solo)
- Blue Stream for piano (2000)
- Brasil sem fim for piano (1990)
- The Devil's Rag (by his alias Jean Matitia)
- Dies Irae for soprano saxophone and organ (1990)
- Dream in A Bar for baritone saxophone and percussion
- Erg for wind ensemble, harp, piano, and bass (1990)
- Hard for tenor saxophone solo (1988)
- Hoggar for orchestra (1995)
- Kwintus for violin (2000)
- The Lose Forest for ensemble of 12 saxophones (1983)
- Morphing for string quartet (1999)
- Neuf études pour saxophone (Nine étudeÉtudeAn étude , is an instrumental musical composition, most commonly of considerable difficulty, usually designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular technical skill. The tradition of writing études emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano...
s for saxophone)
- Balafon
- Savane
- Sanza
- Jungle
- Tadj
- Gyn
- Vir
- Ars
- Bat
- Reflets for saxophone ensemble
- "Stan" (a tribute to Stan GetzStan GetzStanley Getz was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott...
) for baritone saxophone and synthesizer (2001) - Sud for saxophone and piano
Recordings
- Hard (performed by Richard Ducros), CD Label: Adria, 2010
- Au Bonheur des Dames – Musiques de Rudy Wiedoeft et Jean Matitia (performed by Richard Ducros, Sophie Teboul, Christian Lauba, and Stéphane Rougier), CD Label: Richard Ducros, 2010
- Christian Lauba: The Passage Between (performed by Randall Hall), CD Label: Innova Records, 2009
- Christian Lauba: Neuf études pour saxophones (performed by Joël Versavaud), CD Label: Maguelone, 2008
- Lauba: Morphing (live performances of Lauba's works by Cuarteto Casals, Richard Ducros, Benjamin Kreith, and Ivo Janssen), CD Label: Accord/Universal Music, 2000
- Christian Lauba: Ôsmos (performed by Marie Bernadette Charrier, Christophe Havel, Richard Rimbert, Patrice Goudin, Joël Versavaud, et al.), CD Label: Alba Musica, 1995