Diemer: Legende for Oboe and Piano

Code: JP1052
ISMN: 979-0-3019-0137-3

Louis-Joseph Diemer (1843-1919) was a French pianist and composer. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where his teachers included Antoine Marmontel for piano, Ambroise Thomas for composition and Francois Benoist for organ. Diemer won a first prize in piano, harmony and accompaniment, counterpoint and fugue, and solfege, and a second prize in organ.

After completing his studies he toured with the violinist Pablo de Sarasate and quickly built a reputation as a virtuoso. Cesar Franck's Symphonic Variations and Edouard Lalo's Piano Concerto in F minor were both written for Diemer. He also promoted the use of historical instruments and gave a series of harpsichord performances in 1889 as part of the Universal Exhibition.

In 1888, he succeeded Marmontel as professor of piano at the Paris Conservatory. His students included Alfredo Casella and Robert Casadesus.

Diemer's Legende,Op. 52 for oboe and piano was written for the 1904 Concours du Conservatoire National de Musique de Paris. Duration approximately 8:15.