Born in Aix-en-Provence, France, descendant of a Jewish family that had lived in Provence for many generations, he studied music as a child and entered the Paris conservatory age 17 as a violin student. While there he began composing. In 1916 he accompanied the poet Paul Claudel who had been appointed ambassador to Brazil and spent two years there, being deeply influenced by Brazilian rhythms. Milhaud wrote over 400 compositions in almost every possible genre. He was one of the school of innovative French composers known as 'Les Six'. Some of his work reflects his Jewish heritage including a Sabbath morning service and the opera David.

 

Bibliography

MILHAUD, Darius. Notes without music: an autobiography. Pp. x, 355, xxii, [8] leaves of plates, ill. Translated from the French by Donald Evans and edited by Rollo H. Myers (the final chapter, written especially for the American ed., was translated by Arthur Ogden and edited by Herbert Weinstock) New York : A. A. Knopf, c1953

CLAUDEL, Paul. Correspondance Paul Claudel-Darius Milhaud, 1912-1953. Preface de Henri Hoppenot; introd. et notes de Jacques Petit. Pp. 368, ports. [Paris]: Gallimard, c1961

ROY, Jean. Darius Milhaud : L'homme et son oeuvre. Pp. 185, [4] leaves of plates, ill., Paris : Seghers, c1963

Web Sites of Interest

Darius Milhaud

Darius Milhaud