An anniversary, posthumous, of course, but it should be celebrated all the same. Two centuries ago everything was born Jean-Baptiste Théodore Weckerlin, also sometimes just called Wekerlin, also known under the pseudonym of Marc Giroflée, yes with his career, it could be easier, I’ll tell you that.
This Alsatian composer (we have just heard an extract from Maman Tell Me) was born on November 9, 1821 in Guebwiller, son of a silk dyer, Jean-Baptiste Weckerlin grew up in a family of the wealthy bourgeoisie of Guebwiller. He discovered music and at the age of 21, in 1844, he stopped studying chemistry in Strasbourg, without warning his family, went to Paris with eleven francs in his pocket and his guitar, and was admitted to the entrance exam to the Paris Conservatory. , singing and composing.
He first survives by singing in restaurants. In 1847, he wrote his heroic symphony Roland, yes that of Roncesvalles. He acquired notoriety by occupying the function of choir director within the Société Sainte-Cécile between 1850 and 1855. In 1853, Weckerlin achieved his first success at the Théâtre Lyrique with his one-act opéra-comique “L’organiste dans l ’embarrassment’, which is represented a hundred times. He was really famous as a composer of choral works. He married the daughter of the prima donna of Rossini’s last Parisian operas, Madame Laure Cinti-Damoreau, and benefited from his mother-in-law’s network. In 1863, he wrote the opéra-comique in Alsatian Die dreifach Hochzeit im Bäsethal, and in 1879 Der verhäxt Herbst. In 1869, he became assistant librarian at the Conservatory and then 7 years later took over the management. Later, he took up the post of librarian of the Society of Composers. He worked enormously for the conservation of scores, and in particular the scores of traditional Alsatian songs. We have just heard a pastoral for flute, oboe and piano, and immediately, an extract from the milkmaid of Trianon.
Weckerlin is also remembered for his piano arrangements of traditional French songs, in particular of bergerettes. His Bergerettes, eighteenth century romances and songs, were published in 1860. His History of Instrumentation from the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day won the Academy’s gold medal in 1875. This composer, librarian and Alsatian folklorist died on May 20, 1910 at Trottberg near Guebwiller, but his titanic work survived him.
READ ALSO : the file on famous Alsatians