Biography (read more)
Robert Marcel Casadesus was born in Paris on 7 April 1899 into France’s most extensive musical dynasty — nephew of Henri and Marius, husband of Gaby, father of Jean — and died on 19 September 1972. At the Conservatoire he studied with Louis Diémer, taking a first prize in 1913 and the Prix Diémer in 1920, and absorbed chamber music at home, where the Capet Quartet rehearsed. From 1922 he worked closely with Ravel, touring with him and recording under his eye.
Casadesus embodied the French school at its most classical: clarity, proportion and rhythmic address over display, in Mozart above all — his concerto cycles with George Szell remain touchstones — and in Ravel, whose complete solo works he set down with the composer’s sanction. A composer himself of symphonies and concertos, he brings to this catalogue the poised alternative against which more romantic Mozart and Ravel can be measured.
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