Classical Music | Violin Music

Lili Boulanger

Cortège  Play

Heather Wittels Violin
Craig Terry Piano

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