O'Kelly

The book describes the careers and the music of four generations of Irish musicians in 19th and early 20th-century France. It is a fascinating story of hopes and disappointments, successes and failures, musical talent and tastes, as this family integrated more and more into French society. Joseph Kelly (1804-1854), a Dublin-born piano teacher, emigrated to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where his five sons were born, three of whom became musicians. They lived in Paris since c.1835 but close links to Boulogne remained. Joseph O'Kelly (1828-1885) became the best-known member of the family. He is the author of nine operas, four cantatas and numerous songs and piano pieces, with some excellent music to be rediscovered. Auguste O'Kelly (1829-1900) was a music publisher in Paris between 1872 and 1888. George O'Kelly (1831-1914) was a pianist, composer and teacher in Boulogne and Paris. Henri O'Kelly sr. (1859-1938) was a pianist, organist, conductor and composer in Paris for many years. Gustave O'Kelly (1872-1937) was a piano maker in Paris between 1898 and 1917. Henri O'Kelly jr. (1881-1922) was a double bass player and composer in Paris. The book collects documentary evidence about all members of the family with numerous music examples and other illustrations. It is not only a study of the prototype minor composer in one of Europe's musical capitals, but also discusses issues of identity, change, aesthetics and Irishness in exile. It is a contribution to both French and Irish musical history.

Auteur
Axel Klein:Axel Klein studied at Hildesheim and Dublin (TCD), graduated in 1990 and received a Dr. phil. at Hildesheim in 1995. He is the author of 'Die Musik Irlands im 20. Jahrhundert' (Hildesheim, 1996) and 'Irish Classical Recordings. A Discography of Irish Art Music' (Westport, CT, 2001). He also co-edited 'Irish Music in the Twentieth Century' (= Irish Musical Studies vol. 7; Dublin, 2003) and 'The Life and Music of Brian Boydell' (Dublin, 2004). He has been the subject advisor on Ireland for the German encyclopedia 'Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart' (MGG), 1996-2008, and an Advisory Editor for the 'Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland' (Dublin, 2013). For further publications and other information see www.axelklein.de.