Darius Milhaud

Darius Milhaud was born in Marseilles, France in 1892. He started studying
violin at a young age withg Leo Bruguier. In 1909 he entered the Paris Concervatory, where he studied with Berthelier (violin), Dukas (orchestral playing), Leroux (harmony), Widor (fugue) and Gedalge (counterpoint, composition and orchestration). Milhaud became one of the most famous composers of the group known as "Les Six." He later moved to America and taught at Mills College in Oakland, California. Milhaud died in Genevain 1974.

His works often show the influence of jazz and Latin music. La Creation du Monde (1923) shows a strong jazz influence. His work Scaramouche (written in 1939 and first performed one year later) is maybe best known as a two piano arrangement. However, it was origianlly written for the great saxophonist Marcel Mule.