René de Boisdeffre

René de Boisdeffre (3 April 1838 – 25 November 1906) was a French composer. He is the author of some 60 pieces of chamber music as well as a few pieces for piano and vocal music. General de Boisdeffre was his cousin. Biographical sketch Boisdeffre was born in Vesoul, Département Haute Saône, into a family of military traditions and moved with his family to Paris in 1843. His musical education began with Charles Wagner (himself a pupil of P. J. G. Zimmermann) and was continued with Auguste Barbereau. Quite conservative in his style, Boisdeffre owed much to Gounod and Massenet in his vocal music, while his instrumental scores were influenced by Lalo and Saint-Saëns. In May 1883, Boisdeffre was awarded the Prix Chartier for his chamber music. He died in Vézelise, Département Lorraine, aged 68. Works Instrumental music * Premier recueil de trois romances sans paroles for piano, Op. 1 * Deuxième recueil de trois romances sans paroles for piano, Op. 2 * Sérénade for violin, organ and piano, Op. 5 * Mélodie in A major for viola and piano, Op. 6 * Deux Pièces for piano, Op. 7 * Scherzo-sérénade for two pianos, Op. 9 * Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 10 * Piano Quintet in D minor, Op.