Constant, Marius (1925– )

Romanian-born French composer and conductor. He studied in Paris with Olivier Messiaen and Arthur Honegger, directed the Ballets de Paris 1956–66, and was music director of Ars Nova, an ensemble promoting new music, 1963–71. His early compositions were Impressionistic; in his later works he turned to serialism. He collaborated with Peter Brook in his reductions of Carmen and Pelléas et Mélisande.

Works Stage operas La Serrure and Le Souper (both 1969), La Tragédie de Carmen (1981); ballets Jouer de flute (1952), Haut Voltage (1956), Cyrano de Bergerac (1960), Paradise Lost (1967), Candide (1970), Le Jeu de Sainte Agnès (‘ecclesiastical action’ for singers, dancers, actor, organ, electric guitar, trombone, and percussion; 1974).

Orchestral piano concerto (1954); Turner, 3 essays for orchestra (1961); 103 Regards dans l'eau for violin and orchestra (1981); Pelléas and Mélisande Symphony (1986).

Instrumental Winds for 13 wind instruments and double bass (1968), 14 Stations for 92 percussion instruments and ensemble (1970).

Oratorio Des droits de l'homme (1989).