Christian Lauba

Christian Lauba
Born 26 July 1952
Sfax, Tunisia
Residence France
Nationality French[1]
Other names Jean Matitia
Education Université de Bordeaux,
Conservatoire de Bordeaux
Occupation Composer of contemporary classical music
Years active 1980 - present
Known for Compositions for saxophone

Christian Lauba (born 26 July 1952) is a Tunisian born French composer and teacher, especially noted for his compositions for saxophone.[2][3] His compositions often incorporate the music of his native North Africa as well as Japanese influences.[4] He sometimes composes under the name of Jean Matitia, particularly for jazz and rag music.[5]

Biography

Lauba was born in Sfax, Tunisia. His family later settled in Bordeaux, France, where he studied languages at the University of Bordeaux and music at the Conservatory of Bordeaux with composer Michel Fusté-Lambezat. Early in his compositional career, he also worked with saxophonist Jean-Marie Londeix.[2] In 1993, he was appointed professor of analysis at the Conservatory. It was here that he composed pieces that had extended techniques for the saxophone including slap tonguing, circular breathing, multiphonics, and the altissimo register.[6] He has also composed literature for other solo instruments as well as ensembles.

He has given master classes in composition and lectured at many universities including Bowling-Green in Ohio, Winnipeg in Canada, and the University of Maryland as well as at several European conservatories including those of Milan, Madrid, Lisbon (Conservatório Nacional de Lisboa), and Amsterdam. He chaired the jury of the Gaudeamus International Composers Award in 1996.

From 2004 to 2007, Lauba was artistic director of the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine and from 2004 to 2006, also its music director.[7][8] In the 2007/2008 season he was composer in residence with the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse (Mulhouse Symphony Orchestra), where his New York Concerto (a triple concerto for saxophone, cello and piano) received its world premiere.[9]

Awards and commissions

Lauba won First Prize for composition in the class of Michel Fuste-Lambezat and the Medal of Honor of the City of Bordeaux. In 1994 he won first prize in the Berlin International Composition Competition (Institut für Neue Musik),[7] and his Neuf études pour saxophones (Nine études for saxophones), commissioned by Jean-Marie Londeix and composed between 1992 and 1994, won the SACEM prize in composition.[6] He has received commissions both from the French state and from a variety of contemporary classical music ensembles (Diotima Quartet, Cuarteto Casals, Percussion de Strasbourg, Belcea Quartet, Ensemble Court-Circuit, Ictus Ensemble, and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble) as well as from larger orchestras, including the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, Orchestre Poitou-Charentes, Orchestre Régional de Cannes, Orchestre Colonne, MDR Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, and the Opéra National de Bordeaux.[10]

Compositions

  1. Balafon
  2. Savane
  3. Sanza
  4. Jungle
  5. Tadj
  6. Gyn
  7. Vir
  8. Ars
  9. Bat

Recordings

References

  1. ↑ Bibliothèque nationale de France. Notice d'autorité personne: Lauba, Christian (French). Retrieved 6 December 2010
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Umble, James; Gingras, Michèle; Corbé, Hervé; Street, William Henry; Londeix, Jean-Marie Jean-Marie Londeix: Master of the Modern Saxophone. Roncorp Publications (2000) p. 104.
  3. ↑ Cardoze, Edmond. Musique et musiciens en Aquitaine. Aubéron (1992) p. 68. ISBN 2-908650-08-8
  4. ↑ Ingham, Richard (ed.). The Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone. Cambridge University Press (1998) p. 169. ISBN 0-521-59666-1
  5. ↑ BAT Saxophone Ensemble Programme Notes. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Maguelone Records. Liner Notes: Joël Versavaud, Lauba: Neuf études pour saxophones MAG111 123 (2000). Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mairie de Bordeaux. "Christian Lauba en quelques mots" (French). Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  8. ↑ Falcinelli, Sylvianne. "Christian Lauba ou l'imprévisible en action". Bordeaux Culture (October 2004) pp. 22-23 (French). Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  9. ↑ Journal des Spectacles. "Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse: La saison 2007-2008" (French). Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  10. ↑ Bordeaux Magazine. "Genese d'une Creation ". No. 351 (November 2007) pp. 11-12 (French). Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  11. ↑ Ozipko, Jerry. "CD Reviews: Morphing", The Alberta New Music & Arts Review Vol. III/IV, No. 4/5, pp. 149-152. ISSN 1492529X

External links