The Acacia Branch of J of the Presle
Reference EFA 94
for piano and song : music J de la Presle, poem by Jean Richepin
Jacques de la Presle was born in Versailles on July 5, 1888. A pianist from the age of 6, he began his musical studies at the Conservatoire de Versailles with Paul Fauchet, whom he replaced as organist of the church of Notre-Dame de Versailles. He then entered the Paris Conservatory in the classes of Antoine Taudou (harmony), Georges Caussade (counterpoint) and Paul Vidal (composition).
As soon as he was mobilized in 1914, he joined the 119th infantry regiment where he was assigned as a stretcher bearer. In July 1915, he was appointed to the music of his regiment in the brass section (viola). From then on, while performing his stretcher-bearer service for which he was awarded the military medal, he composed, created an orchestra, gave concerts and mounted reviews. Gassed on August 15, 1918, the war ended for him in the hospital where he stayed for many months.
Having resumed his musical studies with Paul Vidal, he obtained in 1921 the first prize at the Rome Competition. He was artistic director at the Radio and professor of harmony at the Paris Conservatory. He died in Paris on May 6, 1969.
He wrote an oratorio " The Apocalypse of St. John ", numerous pieces of chamber music, works for piano, a concerto for piano and orchestra (prize of the city of Paris in 1953), and nearly a hundred melodies.
The Acacia Branch, poem by Jean Richepin, 1916
From the front Jacques de la Presle writes to his fiancée on January 21, 1916:
"I would like to finish my little melody that I started yesterday on the words - which I find delightful - of Richepin, but which I love as if I had made them myself for you, my beloved love."
On March 22, 1916, he plays this melody for the first time in front of the commander of the 1st battalion of the 119th infantry regiment.
