André Jolivet

French classical composer and conductor

André Jolivet (1905–1974) was a distinguished French composer known for his devotion to French culture and his desire to create music that was both modern and deeply rooted in human history and spirituality. His compositional style often integrated elements from various sources, including atonality, jazz, and traditional music from around the world, particularly from Asia and Africa. Jolivet's works span a wide range of genres, including chamber music, ballets, operas, and concertos. He was particularly interested in the sounds of ancient instruments and the voice, which is evident in his compositions for flute and other wind instruments. Jolivet's music is characterized by its rhythmic complexity, lyrical melodies, and a unique harmonic language that sought to express the fundamental aspects of human experience. While he may not be as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, Jolivet's contributions to 20th-century classical music continue to be celebrated for their originality and profound expressiveness.