Biography
Jacques Leguerney has been referred to as "the latest--perhaps the last--great exponent of the mélodie".
He was largely self taught, but studied with Nadia Boulanger for a short period. He was also influenced by Albert Roussel and Francis Poulenc, who was a close friend through his life.
His art songs were championed by such singers as Gérard Souzay, his sister the soprano Geneviève Touraine and Pierre Bernac, and more recently by American baritone Kurt Ollmann and pianist Mary Dibbern.
In addition to his art songs, he also wrote chamber music and orchestral music, including the ballet "Endymion" followed by the ballet "La Vénus Noire" which was a commission from the Paris Opéra. After the Paris Opera failed to produce this ballet, which he considered his masterpiece, Leguerney stopped composing.
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