Alexandre Tansman

Alexandre Tansman (1897-1986) was a highly prolific Polish-French composer and pianist. Born in Łódź, Poland, he received his musical training at the Łódź Conservatory before moving to Paris in 1919, where he became a prominent figure in the city's vibrant musical scene. His early successes in composition competitions in newly independent Poland paved the way for a distinguished career that saw him travel the world as a concert pianist and conductor, often performing his own works.

Tansman's musical style is frequently described as neoclassical, drawing inspiration from 18th-century forms while incorporating elements of Polish folk music and his Jewish heritage. He was known for his mastery of counterpoint, clear formal structures, and a lyrical, often melancholic, expressive quality. During World War II, he sought refuge in the United States, composing film scores in Hollywood and forging friendships with fellow émigré composers like Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, and Béla Bartók. After the war, Tansman returned to Paris, continuing to compose a vast catalog of over 300 works across various genres, including nine symphonies, numerous piano pieces, and significant works for guitar, notably for Andrés Segovia.