Lili Boulanger, full name Marie-Juliette Olga “Lili” Boulanger, was a trailblazing French composer known for her deep expressiveness and innovative style. She was born on August 21, 1893, in Paris, France, and passed away prematurely on March 15, 1918, due to chronic illness.
Boulanger hailed from a profoundly musical family that had a considerable impact on her formative years and career choice. Her father, Ernest Boulanger, was a renowned composer and professor at the Paris Conservatoire. Her mother, Raïssa Myshetskaya, was a Russian princess who was also musically talented. Boulanger’s older sister, Nadia, would become a pivotal music teacher in the 20th century.
Due to her musical family background, Boulanger received an exceptional education. Despite her father’s death when she was only two, she was introduced to music at an early age. Her grandfather, Frédéric Boulanger, had been a cellist, and her grandmother, Juliette Boulanger, was a singer, so her musical lineage was quite strong. The Boulanger sisters were homeschooled due to Lili’s frail health, and their education was heavily focused on music. Lili’s education in composition started under her sister Nadia and was furthered by teachers like George Caussade and Gabriel Fauré.
Boulanger’s talent was evident from a young age, and she began attending classes at the Paris Conservatoire at the age of six. By the time she was 19, she won the Prix de Rome composition prize for her piece “Faust et Hélène,” becoming the first woman to do so. This achievement secured her place in the history of classical music and marked the beginning of her professional career.
Her career, though tragically short, was prolific. Boulanger’s music was characterized by its emotive power, textural richness, and technical sophistication. She wrote for a wide array of ensembles and genres, including chamber music, choral music, orchestral works, and songs. Key works include “Psaume XXIV,” “Psaume CXXX,” “Vieille Prière Bouddhique,” and “D’un matin de printemps.”
Despite her exceptional talent, Boulanger’s career was continuously undermined by her poor health. From an early age, she was plagued by illness, including bronchial pneumonia and Crohn’s disease, an illness that was not properly diagnosed during her lifetime. Nevertheless, she was incredibly dedicated to her art and continued to compose, often from her bed, up until her death at the age of 24.
Boulanger’s impact on music was profound, despite her short life. Her compositions were notably expressive, full of rich harmonies and innovative orchestration that bridged the late Romantic and early modern periods. Her works continue to be performed and recorded today, and her influence as a pioneering woman in music is widely acknowledged.
In addition to her compositions, Boulanger’s influence was passed down through her sister Nadia, who became one of the most significant music pedagogues of the 20th century, teaching students who would become prominent composers, including Aaron Copland and Philip Glass. In this way, the Boulanger legacy has shaped much of 20th-century music.
Even today, the story of Lili Boulanger serves as an inspiration. Her determination to overcome health challenges and societal norms to achieve her musical aspirations exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and creativity. Her contribution to the world of music continues to resonate, reaffirming her place as one of the most significant composers in the history of classical music.
Lili Boulanger (1893 – 1918)
Lili Boulanger, full name Marie-Juliette Olga “Lili” Boulanger, was a trailblazing French composer known for her deep expressiveness and innovative style. She was born on August 21, 1893, in Paris, France, and passed away prematurely on March 15, 1918, due to chronic illness.
Boulanger hailed from a profoundly musical family that had a considerable impact on her formative years and career choice. Her father, Ernest Boulanger, was a renowned composer and professor at the Paris Conservatoire. Her mother, Raïssa Myshetskaya, was a Russian princess who was also musically talented. Boulanger’s older sister, Nadia, would become a pivotal music teacher in the 20th century.
Due to her musical family background, Boulanger received an exceptional education. Despite her father’s death when she was only two, she was introduced to music at an early age. Her grandfather, Frédéric Boulanger, had been a cellist, and her grandmother, Juliette Boulanger, was a singer, so her musical lineage was quite strong. The Boulanger sisters were homeschooled due to Lili’s frail health, and their education was heavily focused on music. Lili’s education in composition started under her sister Nadia and was furthered by teachers like George Caussade and Gabriel Fauré.
Boulanger’s talent was evident from a young age, and she began attending classes at the Paris Conservatoire at the age of six. By the time she was 19, she won the Prix de Rome composition prize for her piece “Faust et Hélène,” becoming the first woman to do so. This achievement secured her place in the history of classical music and marked the beginning of her professional career.
Her career, though tragically short, was prolific. Boulanger’s music was characterized by its emotive power, textural richness, and technical sophistication. She wrote for a wide array of ensembles and genres, including chamber music, choral music, orchestral works, and songs. Key works include “Psaume XXIV,” “Psaume CXXX,” “Vieille Prière Bouddhique,” and “D’un matin de printemps.”
Despite her exceptional talent, Boulanger’s career was continuously undermined by her poor health. From an early age, she was plagued by illness, including bronchial pneumonia and Crohn’s disease, an illness that was not properly diagnosed during her lifetime. Nevertheless, she was incredibly dedicated to her art and continued to compose, often from her bed, up until her death at the age of 24.
Boulanger’s impact on music was profound, despite her short life. Her compositions were notably expressive, full of rich harmonies and innovative orchestration that bridged the late Romantic and early modern periods. Her works continue to be performed and recorded today, and her influence as a pioneering woman in music is widely acknowledged.
In addition to her compositions, Boulanger’s influence was passed down through her sister Nadia, who became one of the most significant music pedagogues of the 20th century, teaching students who would become prominent composers, including Aaron Copland and Philip Glass. In this way, the Boulanger legacy has shaped much of 20th-century music.
Even today, the story of Lili Boulanger serves as an inspiration. Her determination to overcome health challenges and societal norms to achieve her musical aspirations exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and creativity. Her contribution to the world of music continues to resonate, reaffirming her place as one of the most significant composers in the history of classical music.
Discography
The Boulanger Legacy
Merel Vercammen
Dina Ivanova
L’esprit du temps
Anastasia Feruleva
Frank van de Laar