Alexandre Tansman

The work of eclectic and prolific composer, pianist, and conductor Alexandre Tansman encompasses most of the trends of the 20th century: impressionism, neo-classicism, polytonality, atonalism, serialism, jazz, and movie soundtracks. It is uncommon for the mature works of a composer to betray clear influences the way Tansman's do, but the voices of Stravinsky and the French composers of his time are easily discernible in his music. Born in Poland, he studied law, and music on the side. At age 22 he won first and second prizes in a composition contest in Warsaw. As a result, he ...