🎼 Edmond Dédé 🎻
🇺🇸 (1827-1903) 🇫🇷
Creole 🇭🇹 African American 🇺🇸 Composer, Violinist & Conductor 🇫🇷
🎂 Birthday 🍰 November 20 🎊
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1827, Dédé picked up the clarinet from his father, a bandmaster in a local military band. He switched to the violin, which soon became Dédé’s instrument of choice as he developed into a musical prodigy.
Apprenticing under prominent New Orleans musicians, Dédé left home for Mexico to escape the increasing racial prejudice in the American South.
He returned home in 1851 and published “Mon Pauvre Cœur.” He worked briefly to save money before leaving again to continue his classical studies in France.
In the late 1850s, he landed a position at the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, where his creativity thrived. He also worked at the Théâtre de l'Alcazar and the Folies Bordelaises.
💘 Mon Pauvre Cœur 💘
Composer: Edmond Dede
Artist: Emily Eagen
Orchestra: Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Rosenberg
Artist: Emily Eagen
Orchestra: Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Rosenberg
His Ballets, Operettas, Overtures, and over 250 Songs achieved massive success in France yet gained little traction in the U.S. In 1893, en route to his only musical appearance back in New Orleans, Dédé lost his favorite Cremona violin in a shipwreck but managed to find a replacement just in time for his performance!
Despite living in a time of severe racial discrimination, Dédé’s talent led him to become a world-class composer.
Most of Dédé’s sheet music is preserved in the National Library of France and several American universities. His story continues to inspire contemporary classical musicians to take pride in their heritage and honor the contributions of musicians from historically overlooked communities.
The melody to his 1851 composition “Mon Pauvre Cœur” (My Poor Heart) remains one of the oldest surviving pieces of sheet music by a Black Creole composer in New Orleans.
💘 Mon Pauvre Cœur 💘
Edmond Dédé - published 1852.
| 🇫🇷 Mon Pauvre Cœur 💘 | 🇺🇸 My Poor Heart 💘 |
| Quand je te vois oh! ma blonde creole! | When I see you, oh! My blond creole! |
| Sur ton balcon, | On your balcony |
| Oh! je crois voir une vive aureole | Oh! I believe I see a lively halo |
| Orner ton front | Ornating your face |
| Divine enfant chaque jour je t'implore | Holy child each day I implore you |
| Avec ardeur | With ardor |
| De partager la flame qui dévore | To share the flame that consumes |
| Mon pauvre coeur. | My poor heart. |
| Si tu voulais malgré ton Opulence, | If you would like, notwithstanding your opulence, |
| N'aimmer que moi: | To love only me: |
| Tu me dirais pour calmer ma souffrance | You should tell me so, to relieve my suffering |
| Je suis à toi | I am here for you... |
| Ecoute moi charmante et chére idole, | Listen to me cherished idol |
| écoute moi | Listen to me |
| Quand je te dis que mon âme s'envole | When I tell you that my soul takes wing |
| Toujours vers toi! | Always towards you |
| Toujours vers toi! | Always towards you! |
| J'ai trop souffert, je n'ai plus d'espérance | I have suffered too much. I have no more hope |
| Dans l'avenir | For the future. |
| J'ai trop souffert, dan ma courte existence | I have suffered too much in my short existence. |
| Je veux mourir | I want to die. |
| Après ma mort viens ma douce colombe | After my death, come sweet dove |
| Sur me malheurs | For my unhappiness, |
| Viens quelques fois sur ma fosse ou ma tombe | Come to my grave or my tomb sometime |
| Verser des pleurs! | To pour out your tears! |
| Verser des pleurs! | To pour out your tears! |
Edmond Dédé
The Classical Composer
The Classical Composer
A free-born Creole, he moved to Europe to study in Paris in 1855 and settled in France. His compositions include Quasimodo Symphony, Le Palmier Overture, Le Serment de L'Arabe and Patriotisme.
Edmond Dédé (1827-1903)
Creole African American Composer, Violinist & Conductor
Creole African American Composer, Violinist & Conductor
Edmond Dédé a Creole was born on November 20, 1827, in New Orleans and died in 1903, in Paris. He was a free-born Creole musician and composer. He moved to Europe to study in Paris in 1857 and settled in France. His compositions include Quasimodo Symphony, Le Palmier Overture, Le Sermente de L'Arabe and Patriotisme.
He served for 27 years as the conductor of the orchestra at the Théatre l'Alcazar in Paris.
Dédé's parents had arrived in New Orleans from the French West Indies around 1809, after the Haitian Revolution. His father was a militia unit bandmaster. 🇭🇹
Dédé's parents had arrived in New Orleans from the French West Indies around 1809, after the Haitian Revolution. His father was a militia unit bandmaster. 🇭🇹
As a boy, Dédé first learned
the clarinet, but soon switched to the violin, on which he was considered a child prodigy. He would later go on to perform compositions of his own as well as those by Rodolphe Kreutzer, a favored composer of his. Dédé's teachers in his youth included violinists Constantin Debergue a local free black violinist and director of the local Philharmonic Society founded by free Creoles of color sometime in the late antebellum period and Italian-born Ludovico Gabici, who was the director of the St. Charles Theater Orchestra. He was taught music theory by Eugène Prévost French-born winner of the 1831 Prix de Rome and conductor of the orchestra at the Théâtre d'Orléans in the French Quarter and New York-born free black musician Charles Richard Lambert, the father of Sidney and Charles Lucien Lambert.
Rodolphe Kreutzer
Dédé's instruction from Ludovico Gabici ended when white hostility towards musicians of color forced him to flee to Mexico. He continued his studies there. When he eventually returned to the US around 1852, he worked as a cigar maker, saving money to be able to travel to Europe. In 1852 Dédé's melody Mon pauvre coeur appeared. It is the oldest surviving piece of sheet music by a New Orleans Creole of color. He supplemented his income from music with what today would be characterized as his day job: he was a cigar maker, as were a number of other local musicians.
The Paris Conservatoire
He went first to Belgium, then Paris, where he managed to obtain an ultimately successful audition at the Paris Conservatoire in 1857. He studied at the Conservatoire with Jean Delphin Alard and Jacques-François Halevy. His other instructor was noted French violinist and teacher Jean Delphin Alard.
In 1864 Dédéhe married a white Frenchwoman, Sylvie Leflet, and settled in Bordeaux.
Dédé's instruction from Ludovico Gabici ended when white hostility towards musicians of color forced him to flee to Mexico. He continued his studies there. When he eventually returned to the US around 1852, he worked as a cigar maker, saving money to be able to travel to Europe. In 1852 Dédé's melody Mon pauvre coeur appeared. It is the oldest surviving piece of sheet music by a New Orleans Creole of color. He supplemented his income from music with what today would be characterized as his day job: he was a cigar maker, as were a number of other local musicians.
The Paris Conservatoire
He went first to Belgium, then Paris, where he managed to obtain an ultimately successful audition at the Paris Conservatoire in 1857. He studied at the Conservatoire with Jean Delphin Alard and Jacques-François Halevy. His other instructor was noted French violinist and teacher Jean Delphin Alard.
In 1864 Dédéhe married a white Frenchwoman, Sylvie Leflet, and settled in Bordeaux.
They had one son, Eugene Arcade Dédé. He became a classical music composer as well.
The Theatre l'Alcazar in Paris
Edmond Dédé served for 27 years as the conductor of the orchestra at the Theatre l'Alcazar in Paris. He also conducted light music performances at the Folies Bordelaises.
Edmond Dédé served for 27 years as the conductor of the orchestra at the Theatre l'Alcazar in Paris. He also conducted light music performances at the Folies Bordelaises.
Folies Bordelaises
Samuel Snaer, Jr. (1835–1900), an African-American conductor and musician, conducted the first performance in New Orleans of Dédé's Quasimodo Symphony. It was premiered on the night of May 10, 1865 in the New Orleans Theater to a large audience of prominent free people of color of New Orleans and Northern whites. Dédé was not present at this performance. Patrons and music critics alike regarded the concert a great success.
After settling in Bordeaux in 1864, Dédé returned to New Orleans only once, in 1893, to give a performance. During his journey to the United States, Dédé lost his precious Cremona violin. Forced to use a different instrument, Dédé still performed to accolades. Dédé introduced two new songs in New Orleans, one of which, Patriotisme, he regarded as his farewell to New Orleans, for in it he laments his destiny to live far away because of "implacable prejudice" at home. The song is a setting of a poem of the same name, written by the African American historian Rodolphe Lucien Desdunes (1849-1928).
The Societé des Jeunes Amis hall a wood-framed 19th century black Creole fraternal headquarter building
Grateful for receiving honorary membership in the Société des Jeunes-Amis, a leading local social group composed mostly of Creoles of color of antebellum free background, but weary of the increasing inconveniences and indignities of racial segregation, Dédé returned to France and became a full member of the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers in 1894.
Edmond Dédé died in 1903 in Paris. Many of his compositions have been preserved at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris and were not rediscovered until the 1980's.
Posted by andrew1860
Comments:
👉Wow! What an amazing story! It breaks my heart to know that there were so many black musicians who never had an opportunity to play the music they heard in their heads...too poor and disenfranchised to own an instrument.
Samuel Snaer, Jr. (1835–1900), an African-American conductor and musician, conducted the first performance in New Orleans of Dédé's Quasimodo Symphony. It was premiered on the night of May 10, 1865 in the New Orleans Theater to a large audience of prominent free people of color of New Orleans and Northern whites. Dédé was not present at this performance. Patrons and music critics alike regarded the concert a great success.
After settling in Bordeaux in 1864, Dédé returned to New Orleans only once, in 1893, to give a performance. During his journey to the United States, Dédé lost his precious Cremona violin. Forced to use a different instrument, Dédé still performed to accolades. Dédé introduced two new songs in New Orleans, one of which, Patriotisme, he regarded as his farewell to New Orleans, for in it he laments his destiny to live far away because of "implacable prejudice" at home. The song is a setting of a poem of the same name, written by the African American historian Rodolphe Lucien Desdunes (1849-1928).
The Societé des Jeunes Amis hall a wood-framed 19th century black Creole fraternal headquarter building
Grateful for receiving honorary membership in the Société des Jeunes-Amis, a leading local social group composed mostly of Creoles of color of antebellum free background, but weary of the increasing inconveniences and indignities of racial segregation, Dédé returned to France and became a full member of the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers in 1894.
Edmond Dédé died in 1903 in Paris. Many of his compositions have been preserved at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris and were not rediscovered until the 1980's.
Posted by andrew1860
Comments:
👉Wow! What an amazing story! It breaks my heart to know that there were so many black musicians who never had an opportunity to play the music they heard in their heads...too poor and disenfranchised to own an instrument.
👉
Seems he had a great instrument that most professional violinists would love to own, myself included. Thank goodness for parts of Europe less bigoted than the US and most other countries.
Edmond Dédé
Work: Chicago, Grande valse à l'Américaine (1891)
Orchestra: Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Rosenberg
Orchestra: Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Rosenberg
Lyne Lucien.
Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Brooklyn, NY-based Guest Artist Q&A Lyne Lucien. 🇭🇹
Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:
Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?
A. As a Haitian-American artist, I took pride in depicting Edmond Dédé, an incredible artist of Haitian descendant. Through his music compositions, he captured the joyful and vibrant spirit present in Haitian culture. Dédé’s revolutionary music compositions reminded me of my childhood growing up in Port-au-Prince, which was colored in passion and spirit.
Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle?
A. I felt very honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the greatest composers in history. I think we need more visibility on our black heroes. Edmond Dédé paved the way for so many black musicians in New Orleans, France, and the U.S. I was humbled to have a part in sharing in his legacy.
Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?
A. I drew from Haitian Paysan art, a style which captures people in all of their vibrancy as they are. I wanted to capture Dédé in all of his glory. Like most artists, his genius was well before his time and he didn’t receive the necessary praise that he deserved. I wanted to honor his legacy by depicting him through the lens of his heritage. I draw from Haitian art because Haitians are resilient. Dédé overcame a lot of hatred and controversy to create his art. His resiliency coupled with joy is definitive of the Haitian spirit.
Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?
A. I hope that Dédé’s journey inspires others to chase their dreams no matter what hurdles they may experience. He is perhaps one of the greatest composers of our time. I admire that he relentlessly explored his curiosity. He was true to his craft and fearless in exploring his talents in a time where black men had limited opportunities. I want to honor Edmond Dédé and contribute to his legacy as one of the greatest composers in history.
Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:
Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?
A. As a Haitian-American artist, I took pride in depicting Edmond Dédé, an incredible artist of Haitian descendant. Through his music compositions, he captured the joyful and vibrant spirit present in Haitian culture. Dédé’s revolutionary music compositions reminded me of my childhood growing up in Port-au-Prince, which was colored in passion and spirit.
Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle?
A. I felt very honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the greatest composers in history. I think we need more visibility on our black heroes. Edmond Dédé paved the way for so many black musicians in New Orleans, France, and the U.S. I was humbled to have a part in sharing in his legacy.
Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?
A. I drew from Haitian Paysan art, a style which captures people in all of their vibrancy as they are. I wanted to capture Dédé in all of his glory. Like most artists, his genius was well before his time and he didn’t receive the necessary praise that he deserved. I wanted to honor his legacy by depicting him through the lens of his heritage. I draw from Haitian art because Haitians are resilient. Dédé overcame a lot of hatred and controversy to create his art. His resiliency coupled with joy is definitive of the Haitian spirit.
Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?
A. I hope that Dédé’s journey inspires others to chase their dreams no matter what hurdles they may experience. He is perhaps one of the greatest composers of our time. I admire that he relentlessly explored his curiosity. He was true to his craft and fearless in exploring his talents in a time where black men had limited opportunities. I want to honor Edmond Dédé and contribute to his legacy as one of the greatest composers in history.
- https://getpocket.com/read/3485935287
- https://www.google.com/doodles/edmond-dedes-194th-birthday?utm_source=pocket_mylist
- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Edmond+D%C3%A9d%C3%A9%27s
Edmond Dédé
My Poor Heart
Artist: Emily Eagen
🎼
🎻
Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra.
Richard Rosenberg.
🎼🎻
https://youtu.be/GBbP06wqonw
Artist: Emily Eagen
🎼
🎻Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra.
Richard Rosenberg.
🎼🎻
https://youtu.be/GBbP06wqonw
🇫🇷 20 Novembre 2021 🇺🇸
Il y a 194 ans naissait Edmond Dédé
🎼🎻
🎼
🎻
Edmond Dédé: The Classical Composer You've Never Heard Of
https://www.wwno.org/podcast/tripod-new-orleans-at-300/2018-07-19/edmond-dede-the-classical-composer-youve-never-heard-of
🎼🎻 🇫🇷 💖🇭🇹💘 🇺🇸
Five Essential Symphonies by Black Composers
https://www.classicalwcrb.org/2022-02-25/five-essential-symphonies-by-black-composers
https://www.wwno.org/podcast/tripod-new-orleans-at-300/2018-07-19/edmond-dede-the-classical-composer-youve-never-heard-of
🎼🎻 🇫🇷 💖🇭🇹💘 🇺🇸
Five Essential Symphonies by Black Composers
https://www.classicalwcrb.org/2022-02-25/five-essential-symphonies-by-black-composers
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🇫🇷 💖🇭🇹💘 🇺🇸
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