Jacques Leguerney has been referred to as "the latest – perhaps the last – great exponent of the mélodie".
He was largely self-taught, but studied with Nadia Boulanger for a short period. He was also influenced by Albert Roussel and Francis Poulenc, who was a close friend through his life.
His art songs were championed by such singers as Gérard Souzay, his sister the soprano Geneviève Touraine and Pierre Bernac, and more recently by American baritone Kurt Ollmann and pianist Mary Dibbern.
In addition to his art songs, he also wrote chamber music and orchestral music, including the ballet Endymion, followed by the ballet La Vénus noire, which was a commission from the Paris Opéra. After the Paris Opéra did not produce this ballet, which he considered his masterpiece, Leguerney stopped composing.
Mary Dibbern, Carol Kimball and Patrick Choukroun: The Songs of Jacques Leguerney: A Guide for Study and Performance, (New York: Pendragon Press, 2002), ISBN 978-1-57647-016-9.
Selected discography
Jacques Leguerney: Mélodies de la Renaissance. Mary Dibbern at the piano with Lisa Bonenfant, soprano and Kurt Ollmann, baritone. Harmonia Mundi France —Action Musicale Seita. (HMC 1171, stereo.) Recording made in collaboration with the composer.
Jacques Leguerney: Mélodies, vol. 2. Mary Dibbern with Deborah Massell, soprano and Kurt Ollmann, baritone. Harmonia Mundi France—Action Musicale Seita. (HMC 1172, stereo.) Recording made in collaboration with the composer.
28 Mélodies of Jacques Leguerney. Claves and Radio Suisse Romande-Espace 2 (Claves CD 50-9618). Mary Dibbern with Danielle Borst, soprano: Brigitte Balleys, mezzo-soprano, and Philippe Huttenlocher, baritone.
