About author : DUROSOIR Lucien
Born in 1878, Lucien Durosoir enjoyed a career as a violinist before devoting himself to composition. It was principally in Germany, where he perfected his technique with the great masters of the art, Joseph Joachim and Hugo Heermann, that his talent was first recognised.
From 1899 onwards, his musical tours led him across the whole of central Europe, Russia, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In these countries, he gave some of the first performances of works by French composers (Saint-Saëns, Lalo, Widor and Bruneau). In Vienna, for example, he performed Gabriel Faurés Sonata in F Major for violin and piano. Conversely, he took advantage of his French tours for first performances of great works by foreign composers: in 1899 at the Salle Pleyel Niels Gades Concerto in B Minor, and in 1903 at the Salle des Agriculteurs Richard Strausss Concerto for violin, and Brahmss Concerto.
Wherever he performed, the critics wrote about him in the most laudatory terms : « mesmerises the audience with the elevation and spirit of his playing» (Neue freie Press, 11th January 1910). « Each piece was played with both nobility and beauty » (Wiener Mittags-Zeitung, 28th January 1910).
« In Max Bruchs Concerto, he showed the very rare attributes of tone and musical quality, and in Dvoraks Concerto, an astonishing style and virtuosity. With these superb performances, Monsieur Lucien Durosoir has placed himself amongst the finest virtuosos of his time.» (Le Figaro, 19th May 1904).