Jean Doyen (8 March 1907 – 21 April 1982) was a French classical pianist, pedagogue and composer.
Biography
Born in Paris, Doyen graduated from the Conservatoire de Paris as pianist in 1922. He began learning the instrument with Sophie Chéné (teacher of Blanche Selva), then studied with Louis Diémer (1919) and finally with Marguerite Long. In 1924, he made his solo debut with the Concerts Colonne. He also participated in Jacques Ibert's ballet Les Rencontres,[1] at the Opera Garnier.
Doyen[4] is best known for his interpretations of 19th and 20th century French music, notably in the works of Gabriel Pierné, Reynaldo Hahn and Vincent d'Indy and is considered one of the great interpreters of this repertoire and above all, of Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré.[5] He also enjoyed playing Vincent d'Indy's Fantaisie sur un vieil air de ronde française[6] and Samazeuilh's Trois Danses. However, he recorded Chopin's waltzes, and premiered the Variations sur un thème de Don Juan.[7]
His daughter, Geneviève Doyen (1944–2004) was also a pianist.[citation needed] However, there is no relationship with Ginette Doyen (alias Geneviève Fournier, 1921–2002), married to and musical collaborator of violinist Jean Fournier, himself Pierre Fournier's brother.[citation needed]
Halffter's Rapsodia Portuguesa for piano and orchestra - Jean Doyen (piano); Orchestre du Conservatoire de Paris, conductor Charles Munch (October 1941/March 1942)
