Georges Auric, French composer (d. 1983)

Georges Auric: A Pillar of 20th-Century French Music

Georges Auric (French: [ɔʁik]; 15 February 1899 – 23 July 1983) was an eminent French composer, renowned for his significant contributions to 20th-century music. Born in Lodève, Hérault, France, Auric's prolific career spanned various genres, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the modern French musical landscape. He gained international recognition not only as a brilliant composer of stage and concert works but also as a distinguished film score composer, leaving an indelible mark on both classical and cinematic realms.

The Formative Years and Les Six

Auric's musical journey began early, studying composition at the prestigious Paris Conservatoire and later at the Schola Cantorum under Vincent d'Indy. His precocious talent quickly brought him into contact with some of the most innovative minds of his era, laying the groundwork for his groundbreaking contributions.

A Founding Member of Les Six: Shaping a New French Aesthetic

A defining chapter in Georges Auric's early career was his association with **Les Six**, a groundbreaking group of young French composers. This informal yet profoundly influential collective, which also included Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, and Germaine Tailleferre, emerged in the vibrant, post-World War I Parisian artistic scene. They were loosely united by a shared desire to move away from the perceived excesses of late Romanticism and the ethereal qualities of Impressionism, advocating for a new, distinctly French musical identity.

Their aesthetic, heavily influenced by the avant-garde poet, filmmaker, and playwright Jean Cocteau and the idiosyncratic composer Erik Satie, advocated for a simpler, clearer, and more direct musical language. Cocteau's seminal 1918 manifesto, Le Coq et l'Arlequin, served as a spiritual guide, urging for music rooted in everyday life, free from grandiloquence and pretension, and embracing elements of popular music like jazz and music hall. Auric, the youngest member of the group, embodied this spirit through his concise, witty, and often lyrical compositions, contributing significantly to Les Six's collective identity and their challenge to established musical norms.

Early Triumphs: Ballet and Stage Music

Auric's early brilliance was particularly evident in his work for ballet and stage productions. Even before reaching the age of 20, he had already demonstrated remarkable skill in orchestration and crafting incidental music, showcasing a maturity and inventive flair beyond his years.

Prestigious Collaborations: Ballets Russes and Beyond

His early engagements included prestigious collaborations, notably with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, a major force in early 20th-century dance and theatrical innovation. Auric contributed scores to acclaimed ballets such as Les Fâcheux (1924), based on Molière's comedy, and Les Matelots (1925). These works exemplified his ability to inject modernity and vivacity into traditional forms, solidifying his reputation as an innovative and highly sought-after theatrical composer.

A Distinguished Career in Film Music

Beyond the concert hall and stage, Georges Auric carved out an extraordinarily successful and enduring career as a film composer, scoring over 100 films. His lyrical and evocative scores became synonymous with some of the most iconic cinematic works of the 20th century, profoundly elevating the art of film music.

Landmark Film Scores and Enduring Collaborations

Auric's innate ability to capture emotional depth and narrative nuances through music made him a sought-after collaborator for leading directors. He forged a particularly strong artistic partnership with his fellow Les Six associate, Jean Cocteau, scoring many of his surrealist masterpieces, including Blood of a Poet (1930), the enchanting fairy-tale classic Beauty and the Beast (1946), and the evocative Orphée (1950). His scores for these films are celebrated for their ability to enhance the dreamlike, poetic, and often haunting visuals, creating an inseparable link between image and sound.

His versatility extended to working with a diverse range of international filmmakers, contributing memorable music to classic British and American cinema. Notable examples of his influential film scores include:

Georges Auric's distinctive musical voice, characterized by its melodic inventiveness, subtle orchestration, and innate theatricality, played a crucial role in shaping the emotional landscape of these cinematic treasures, earning him a lasting legacy in film history and influencing generations of film composers.

Beyond Composition: Leadership and Legacy

Georges Auric's influence extended far beyond his creative output. He also dedicated a significant portion of his later life to administrative roles within the French musical establishment, demonstrating his deep commitment to fostering and preserving his nation's artistic heritage.

Influential Leadership Roles in French Music Institutions

From 1962 to 1968, Auric served as the esteemed administrator of the Réunion des Théâtres Lyriques Nationaux, which encompassed the prestigious Opéra National de Paris and the Opéra-Comique. His leadership in these critical roles showcased his dedication to upholding the highest standards of French musical and operatic arts during a period of significant cultural change.

Additionally, he held the influential position of president of the Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique (SACEM), the French professional association of authors, composers, and music publishers, from 1953 to 1957 and again from 1960 to 1961. These leadership roles cemented his status not just as a brilliant composer, but also as a pivotal figure in the organization, protection, and promotion of French music on a national and international scale.

Georges Auric’s multifaceted career, spanning avant-garde movements, classical ballet, and popular cinema, combined with his dedicated service to musical institutions, left an indelible mark on 20th-century music, making him a true icon of French cultural heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Georges Auric

Who was Georges Auric?
Georges Auric (1899–1983) was a prominent French composer celebrated for his diverse contributions to 20th-century music. He was notably a member of the influential group "Les Six," a prolific composer of ballets and stage music, and a distinguished film score composer for over 100 films.
What was "Les Six" and what was Georges Auric's role in it?
"Les Six" was an informal yet influential group of six young French composers – Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, and Germaine Tailleferre – who emerged in Paris after World War I. They advocated for a new French music, simpler and more direct, influenced by Erik Satie and Jean Cocteau, rejecting the perceived excesses of Romantic and Impressionistic styles. Auric, as the youngest member, played a key part in defining their collective aesthetic of clarity and conciseness.
What notable films did Georges Auric compose music for?
Georges Auric had an extensive and highly distinguished career in film music, scoring over 100 films. Some of his most famous and iconic scores include Jean Cocteau's surrealist masterpieces *Beauty and the Beast* (1946) and *Orphée* (1950), the classic Ealing comedy *The Lavender Hill Mob* (1951), John Huston's biographical drama *Moulin Rouge* (1952), and William Wyler's romantic classic *Roman Holiday* (1953).
What other significant contributions did Georges Auric make to the world of music?
Beyond his prolific compositions, Auric held influential administrative positions within French musical institutions. He served as the administrator of the Réunion des Théâtres Lyriques Nationaux (including the prestigious Opéra National de Paris) from 1962 to 1968, and was also president of SACEM (the French society for authors, composers, and music publishers) for multiple terms in the 1950s and 1960s.