Dutilleux, Henri (1916– )

French composer. He wrote instrumental music in elegant Neo-Romantic style. His works include Métaboles (1962–65) for orchestra, Ainsi la nuit/Thus the Night (1976) for string quartet, Timbres, espaces, mouvement (1978) for orchestra, Le jeu des contraires (1989) for piano; and Diptyque: Les Citations (1991) for oboe, harpsichord, double bass, and percussion. His music is regarded as being in the tradition of Ravel, Debussy, and Messiaen, although he has always strictly refused to join groups or musical schools, or even to be regarded as belonging to a particular group.

He studied at the Paris Conservatory and won the Prix de Rome in 1938; he was professor of composition at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris 1961–70, and also taught as an associate professor at the Conservatory in Paris 1970–71.

Works Orchestral two symphonies (performed Paris, 1950 and Boston, 1959), Cinq Métaboles for orchestra (first performance Cleveland, 1965), Tout un monde lointain for cello and orchestra (1970), Timbres, espaces, mouvement for orchestra (first performance Washington, 1978), L'Arbre des songes for violin and orchestra (1985).

Ballet Le Loup (1953), Summer's End (1981).

Vocal La giole for voice and orchestra (1944).

Chamber and instrumental Ainsi la nuit for string quartet (1976); Mystère de l'instant for 24 strings, cimbalom, and percussion (1989); Le Jeu des contraires for piano (1989); Diptyque: Les Citations for oboe, harpsichord, double bass, and percussion (1991).