Henri Dutilleux, Leading French composer, Dies at Age 97

Henri Dutilleux, one of France’s leading composers, died Wednesday in Paris at the age of 97, his family said.

Known for his symphonies, concertos and other orchestral pieces, he was prized for his subtle blends of ear-catching colors and formal rigor. Though steeped in the French modernist tradition that spans Debussy through Messiaen and Boulez, Dutilleux was also notably independent minded, unwilling to chase the latest fashions in composition.

During his nearly eight-decade career, Dutilleux composed pieces for many prominent soloists and ensembles including the soprano Renée Fleming, cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, Juilliard String Quartet, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  Read