Eugène Bozza
Eugène Bozza (1905–1991) was a French composer and violinist, best known for a large body of chamber music for wind instruments. His larger works include symphonies, operas and ballets, though these are seldom performed outside France.
Trained at the Paris Conservatoire in violin, conducting and composition, and later director of the music school at Valenciennes, Bozza wrote with a practical ear for what instruments can do. Solo and ensemble pieces for winds form the core of his reputation: they sit firmly in the French chamber tradition, melodic and often brilliant, and many have become conservatory and recital staples.
Among the best-known are the early saxophone Aria, the horn solo En forêt, the bass trombone showpiece New Orleans, and wind-ensemble scores such as Octanphonie. His études and teaching pieces likewise keep his name in studios worldwide, even where the operas and symphonies remain little heard.
Press quotes
He is a performer's composer, in that the music is well written for the instrument, is challenging to play and enjoyable to rehearse. He is the listener's composer since the music is always interesting, and has a familiarity of melody and tonality that even the untrained ear can enjoy.
Compositions by Eugène Bozza appear on
WindSong
Eric Klay brings his bass trombone centre-stage in a varied selection of stylish classic, contemporary, and big band pieces.
Hornocopia
About 110 minutes of French horn music, from classical staples to contemporary scores. Much of the programme sits on the AMEB French Horn syllabus, and several works appear here on CD for the first time – a practical set for students and teachers.
Melbourne Windpower
Directed by Richard Runnels. Wind octets by Haydn, C.P.E. Bach, Beethoven, Bozza and Australian Graham Powning, recorded in the clear, natural acoustic of the Melbourne Concert Hall.
Cornet Caprice
Tom Paulin and pianist Len Vorster explore the cornet’s brilliance in a recital of virtuoso showpieces and contemporary writing by Bozza, Arban, McCabe, Dreyfus and others.