Summary of the impact

Traditionally, the programmes of UK orchestras have focused on a narrow group of 20^th-century French composers indicating a line of development from Debussy and Ravel to Messiaen and Boulez. Rae's research on other, neglected French composers of the period has demonstrated their importance and relevance to the broader French and international mainstream, and cast better-known composers in a new light. Drawing on her research, managers of major performing and broadcasting bodies, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Radio 3 and the Philharmonia Orchestra, have established partnerships with her to promote an expanded repertoire. As a result concert and radio audiences have been introduced to the music of a wider range of 20^th-century French composers and, through complementary talks, interviews, programme notes, exhibitions and workshops, come to a better understanding of their stature and significance.

Underpinning research

For over thirteen years Dr Caroline Rae (Lecturer 97-11, Senior Lecturer 11-present) has undertaken research in Paris and elsewhere on neglected 20^th-century French composers. Supported by AHRB and British Academy grants in 2004-5, the research combines archival investigation with personal testimonies from composers and their surviving relatives. Findings have been published in a series of articles, a book chapter and a monograph.^3:1-6 Broadening pre- existing concepts of the French Tradition, Rae has simultaneously shown how it has interacted with developments in the rest of Europe and in the Americas. With particular reference to the reception of French music in the UK, Rae has demonstrated how the exclusion of Dutilleux, Jolivet and Ohana from Boulez's Concerts du Domaine Musical (1954-73) and, consequently, from BBC programming during the era of Sir William Glock (1959-73), resulted in their neglect in the UK during that period.^3:2 Other findings have been:

Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013)^{3:2, 5}

Rae's research places Dutilleux in the broader international mainstream rather than simply pigeonholing him as `quintessentially French'. She has shown that his music draws on influences from outside France, connecting in particular to Berg, Bartók and Lutoslawski. Dismantling the concept of the French tradition as being independent from modernist influences elsewhere, she has demonstrated ways in which it has shaped major 20^th-century developments.

André Jolivet (1905-1974)^{3:3, 4, 7}

Rae's work has reassessed Jolivet, often overshadowed by his colleague and near contemporary Messiaen, overturning the view of him as a one-time progressive turned traditionalist to reveal a continuity of compositional innovation since 1945, and that his ideas and techniques, particularly in the fields of rhythm and pianism, influenced Messiaen. She has also demonstrated Jolivet's influence on Magic Realism through his connections with the Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier. Interviewing Jolivet's daughter and uncovering new source material (in the composer's private archives) has revealed some of Jolivet's previously overlooked interests and activities.

Messiaen (1908-1992) and other contemporaries^{3:1, 4, 6}

Understanding of Messiaen's contribution has been enhanced by Rae's research on Jolivet and others, countering the perception of him as a wholly independent figure. Rae has shown that Messiaen drew from his contemporaries, his distinctive techniques connecting with broader trends in 20^th-century French music. In the case of Maurice Ohana (1913-92), she has demonstrated the interaction between his music and that of Jolivet and Messiaen, as well as Berio, Ligeti and Lutoslawski.^5:1

References to the research

Grants

7. C. Rae, `Magic Realism in Music: the French-Latin American axis since 1920), AHRB, 2004-5, £3635.

8. C. Rae, `Symposium on Music in France, 1830-1940', British Academy Overseas Conference Grant, 2004, £820.

Details of the impact

a) BBC Discovering Dutilleux Festival, 15-17 February 2008

Aware of Rae's research on Dutilleux and 20^th-century French music, Tim Thorne (Senior Producer BBC NOW) invited her to be programming consultant and co-organiser of the BBC's first festival dedicated to his music.^{5:1, 2}

It comprised five BBC Radio 3 broadcast concerts, two public orchestral concerts (St David's Hall, Cardiff); two public chamber concerts (Cardiff University); two days of public talks; and an exhibition. Rae and Thorne developed a set of five programmes that included the world premiere of Dutilleux's Correspondances (revised version), Tout un monde lointain, Mystère de l'instant, Second Symphony, and the rarely performed Sonnets de Jean Cassou. At Rae's suggestion, Bartók's Music for Strings Percussion and Celesta was featured among the supporting works by other composers to underline Dutilleux's links with non-French music. Rae's programme notes explained Dutilleux's international importance and links with Bartók, Berg and Lutoslawski. The programme book featured a two-page interview with Dutilleux, undertaken by Rae in Paris especially for the Festival.^5:4 (Broadcast audience figures: c.170,000, RAJAR, plus BBC iPlayer; combined SDH & CU Hall audiences: c.2,060). Rae organised the talks and explained to a public audience Dutilleux's compositional process while deconstructing the concept of `French Tradition' to underline his relationship with non-French music. Rae curated a unique, public exhibition of Dutilleux's complete published works - over 30 items - at Cardiff University, and discussed the materials publicly with the composer. (Audience figures c. 150.) The Guardian (19 February 2008) noted that `Under the joint auspices of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Cardiff University, this weekend feting Dutilleux constituted an initiation for most of the audience, but it was significant that the clarity and compelling energy of the works won him an eager reception.' ^5:5

b) Other Dutilleux

Rae co-convened `Dutilleux at 95', an Institute of Musical Research Study Day (January 2011) at London University Senate House, comprising illustrated public talks (incl. by Rae) that discussed his placing, techniques and influence; professional composers and performers were among the audience. Rae further promoted understanding of Dutilleux's compositional style and techniques to a public audience in a piano lecture-recital at which she performed and discussed Figures de résonances at London's Senate House (June 2013). To underline the international significance of Dutilleux's compositions, and their stylistic relationship with non-French music, Rae curated a public exhibition of facsimile manuscripts of works commissioned by Swiss conductor Paul Sacher (loaned by the Paul Sacher Stiftung) at BBC Hoddinott Hall (Wales Millennium Centre) as part of BBC NOW's 2012 Sacher Perspectives season. Facsimile manuscripts of Dutilleux's Sacher commissions were displayed for the first time alongside those of Bartók, Lutoslawski, Honegger and others, and were viewed by concert audiences over a four-month period (2000+ individuals), enhancing understanding of Dutilleux's musical interactions beyond France.

Rae's Dutilleux research gained further attention through her commissioned programme notes for the BBC Proms in 2011:^5:6 Prom 26, Tout un monde lointain, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Runnicles; Prom 52, L'arbre des songes, Slava's Fanfare (Prom premiere) London Symphony Orchestra, Gergiev. Following Dutilleux's death (22 May 2013) Rae was invited as featured expert to discuss his status and legacy with conductor François-Xavier Roth in a commemorative interval programme for BBC Radio 3's `Live in Concert' with BBC NOW (24 May 2013).

c) BBC Jolivet Composer Portrait (December 2011 - January 2012)

Thorne approached Rae to be programming and project consultant for BBC NOW's BBC Radio 3 `Composer Portrait' series featuring Jolivet's music, in the concert hall and on air. On Rae's advice, works featured included the UK premieres of Jolivet's rarely performed Second Cello Concerto and Third Symphony. The event comprised: a Radio 3 broadcast concert by BBC NOW, conductor Pascal Rophé, at BBC Hoddinott Hall (2 December 2011, broadcast January 2012); a public study day in the School of Music, Cardiff University that investigated Jolivet's style, technique and placing, and BBC Radio 3 interviews with Rae and Christine Jolivet-Erlih (the composer's daughter). Rae's programme notes and Radio 3 interview contextualised Jolivet's works, and explained his musical relationships with Messiaen and Varèse. The study day featured interview discussions with Christine Jolivet-Erlih and performances of rarely heard chamber works. (Audience figures c.380: Broadcast audience c.456,000, RAJAR, plus BBC iPlayer).^5:3

Rae's Jolivet research has gained wider public attention through her 3000-word booklet article for Warner Classics CD-set `Jolivet Erato Recordings' (Warner Classics 2564 61320-2);^5:7 6000+ units have been sold in Europe and the Far East, with the largest market in the UK. Explaining and contextualising 19 little-known works, Rae's article identified new compositional links with Jolivet's contemporaries. Although first issued in 2004 the CD-set has been commercially available through to 2013 and remains the single largest collection of Jolivet recordings.

d) Messiaen and other contemporaries

UK audiences have come to understand Messiaen in a new light through Rae's contextualising of broader trends in 20^th-century French music. She participated in a live BBC Radio 3 interval feature for the BBC Messiaen Centenary Concert (BBC NOW, December 2008). This led to an invitation from BBC Radio Ulster to discuss influences in Messiaen's Quatuor pour la fin du Temps for Radio Ulster's `Arts Extra' (20 March 2013).

Understanding of French musical traditions by UK audiences has been further enhanced by Rae's public lecture-recitals on Ohana's piano music in London, Oxford and York universities, in which she investigated his Debussian and Hispanic descendancies. Rae's Ohana research has gained wider currency through her 3000-word booklet article for the Warner Classics CD-set of 13 works, `Ohana Erato Recordings' (Warner Classics 2564 61321-2);^5:8 2000+ units have been sold throughout Europe and the Far East, with the largest market in the UK. First issued in 2004 this set remains commercially available and is the largest collected edition of Ohana recordings.

Broadening understanding of international interactions in 20^th-century French musical traditions to acknowledge and incorporate the Franco-Suisse, Rae was invited by BBC NOW to be programming consultant for their 2012 Sacher Perspectives season comprising six BBC Radio 3 broadcast concerts,^5:1 during which the music of Honegger and Martin was featured. (Hoddinott Hall audience c.200. Broadcast audience 304,000, RAJAR, plus BBC iPlayer).

e) Recent and on-going collaborations

Aware of the breadth of Rae's French music research, in 2011 the Philharmonia Orchestra invited her to be Series Advisor for its forthcoming festival at London's Royal Festival Hall (2014-15), `Paris: City of Light'; this will explore the rich diversity of French music between 1902 and 1948. As well as advising on the programming of orchestral and chamber works, study days and talks, she is coordinating and contributing to the Festival Book. Early in 2013, she was invited by conductor Jac van Steen to advise on repertoire and programming for BBC NOW's forthcoming recording series of orchestral and choral works by Jolivet; the first CD is scheduled to appear in 2014.^5:2

Sources to corroborate the impact

1. Testimony from the Senior Producer, BBC NOW, confirms the influence of Rae's research on three BBC NOW projects. [16.07.2013]
2. Testimony from the Principal Guest Conductor of BBC NOW (2007-13) acknowledges Rae's input into `Discovering Dutilleux Festival' and `Jolivet Composer Portrait', and her influence on his forthcoming series of Jolivet recordings. (15.07.2013)
3. Présidente de l'association les amis d'André Jolivet: may be contacted to affirm the influence of Rae's research on public awareness of the Jolivet's music and, specifically, on the programming of the BBC André Jolivet Composer Portrait.
4. BBC `Discovering Dutilleux Festival', printed programme (2008): Rae's specially commissioned interview with Henri Dutilleux exploring his major influences, including from outside France.
5. Guardian, 19.02.2008: review of `Discovering Dutilleux Festival'.
6. BBC Proms Programme Notes (2011, Proms 26 & 52): programme notes for three works by Dutilleux (Slava's Fanfare,Tout un monde lointain, and L'arbre des songes) explaining the music and its international significance.
7. Warner Classics 2564 61320-2 `Les enregistrements Erato André Jolivet': booklet article in English (with French and German translations) contextualising the composer's work and its significance in 20^th-century French music.
8. Warner Classics 2564 61321-2 `Les enregistrements Erato Maurice Ohana': booklet article in English (with French and German translations) contextualising the composer's work and its significance in 20^th-century French music.

[All testimony and supporting documents saved as pdfs and available on request from the HEI.]