Throughout the history of music there have been numerous composers who were well-known in their lifetimes yet faded from public performance and memory after their deaths. Some were remembered many years later and became the most prominent composers in western music. Others did not receive any such resurgence of interest.
Gabriel Dupont (1878-1914) was a rising star in French music when he passed away at the age of 36. His operas, piano music and songs were widely known during his life, but he was virtually forgotten by the end of the 20th century. Since around 2000, there has been a growing interest into the life and music of this figure. Dupont has become more well-known to French audiences but less so to audiences elsewhere. This project aims to change that and spread awareness of Dupont in the United States. The twenty-four mature piano pieces by Dupont are significant contributions to French piano music and deserve such a recognition.
This thesis is in two parts: 1) a complete studio recording of Dupont's piano music, including the world premiere of two sets of pieces he wrote in his youth, and 2) an accompanying paper exploring the life and music of Dupont.