Paris remembers a musical soul. The Rue Reynaldo Hahn honors a composer. It also recognizes a conductor and critic. But who was Reynaldo Hahn?
Rue Reynaldo Hahn is in Paris’s 20th arrondissement. This street stretches 220 meters. It begins at 109 Rue de Lagny. The street ends at Rue Paganini. It is 15 meters wide. The street received its name in 1956.
Reynaldo Hahn was born in Caracas Venezuela in 1874. He died in Paris in 1947. Hahn was a French composer. He was also a conductor and music critic. He was of Venezuelan origin. Marcel Proust was his most important companion.
Hahn’s mother was Venezuelan. His father was German. Reynaldo was the youngest of thirteen children. The family moved to Paris in 1878. Reynaldo was only three years old. The Hahn family quickly established connections. They were near the aristocracy. The family often held salons. Young Reynaldo often performed there.
Hahn entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1885. He studied with Albert Lavignac. He also studied with Jules Massenet. In 1887 he wrote a famous melody. It was based on a poem by Victor Hugo. The poem was “Si mes vers avaient des ailes.” In 1890 he composed music for Alphonse Daudet’s play.
Reynaldo Hahn met Marcel Proust in 1894. It happened at Madeleine Lemaire’s salon. They became friends. They were lovers until 1896. They remained friends until Proust’s death. Hahn was one of the few who could visit Proust unannounced.
His father died in 1897. The family moved to 9 Rue Alfred-de-Vigny. That same year his symphonic poem was performed. It was “Nuit d’amour bergamasque”. In 1898 the Opéra-Comique presented his work. It was “L’Île du rêve.”
Hahn traveled extensively. He visited Hamburg and Bucharest. He went to Rome and London. He cultivated his knowledge of the arts. This included painting and literature.
Hahn became a French citizen. He served in the French army during World War I. He was mobilized in 1914. He fought in Argonne. He also fought at Vauquois. Hahn was promoted to corporal in 1917. He received the Croix de Guerre.
Hahn promoted French music. He was nominated for the Legion of Honor. He was made an officer in 1914. He became a commander shortly before his death.
In 1920 Hahn became a singing professor. He taught at the École Normale de Musique de Paris. He composed operettas. These included “Ciboulette” and “Malvina”. He also wrote musical comedies. These were for Yvonne Printemps and Arletty.
Hahn also wrote chamber music. This included a piano quintet and string quartets. In 1931 he gave a piano concerto. He worked as a music critic. He wrote for “Excelsior” and “Le Figaro”.
Because of his Jewish background Hahn had to leave Paris in 1940. He went to Cannes. Then he went to Monte-Carlo. In 1945 he returned to Paris. He became director of the Paris Opera.
Hahn died of a brain tumor in 1947. He lived at 7 Rue Greffulhe. A plaque commemorates him there. He is buried in Père-Lachaise Cemetery.
Hahn’s work is known for its melodic invention. It is also known for its harmonic refinement. He composed about 150 musical works. These include songs and operettas. They also include ballets and operas.
Reynaldo Hahn’s legacy lives on through this street. It reminds us of his contributions to music. It celebrates his life in Paris.