About Jean Perrin
Lived 1920 – 1989 (aged 69). Jean Perrin was a Swiss composer and pianist.
Jean Perrin (September 17, 1920 – September 24, 1989) was a Swiss composer and pianist. He composed in a neo-classical style, sometimes approaching polytonality, and his music shows the influence of Stravinsky and Poulenc.
He began studying piano in Lausanne, where he was born, and later studied with Franz-Joseph Hirt in Bern and Edwin Fischer in Lucerne. Eventually he went to Paris to study piano with Yves Nat. In Paris he also studied composition with Nadia Boulanger and Darius Milhaud. After returning to Lausanne he taught piano and also edited program notes for the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra for over 20 years.
He died in his sleep in Lausanne the night before the worldwide broadcast on French-speaking radio of the world premiere of his string quartet.
List of selected works Perrin wrote over 50 compositions, some of which are listed here: Concerto grosso for piano and orchestra, op. 6b (1952) Sonatas(1953-6): for horn and piano, op. 7 for violin and piano, op. 8 for piano, op. 10b for cello and piano, op. 11 for flute and piano, op. 12b Symphony No. 2, op. 15 (1959) Mass for four soloists, chorus, and orchestra, op. 19 (unfinished) Piano Quartet, op. 23 (1965) Symphony No. 3, op. 24 (1966) Drei deutsche Lieder (Bertolt Brecht, A. Goes, G. Politzer) for alto and orchestra (1967-8) De profundis for four soloists, chorus, and orchestra, op. 26 (1968–70) Concerto for cello and orchestra, op. 27 (1972) Introduction and Allegro for trombone and orchestra, op. 30 (1973) Canticum laudis for 4 violins, flute, oboe, clarinet, 2 bassoons, trumpet, trombone, and double bass, op. 32 (1974) Marche funèbre for orchestra, op. 38 (1978) Concerto for piano and orchestra, op. 41 (1978) Six préludes for piano, op. 45 (1980–81) Concerto for violin and orchestra (1986) String Quartet (1988)
Selected recording De profundis, Cello Concerto • Timişoara Banatul Philharmonic; Jean-François Antonioli, conductor. (See Timişoara Banatul Philharmonic for recording details.) Musique Concertante, Concerto for piano and orchestra, op. 41, Concerto for violin and orchestra, Introcuction and Allegro for trombone and orchestra, Concerto for cello and orchestra • Brigitte Meyer, piano; Tanja Becker-Bender, violin; David Bruchez, Trombone; Emil Rovner, cello; Kammerphilharmonie Potsdam; Jean-François Antonioli, conductor. (DIVOX CDX-20906-6) Symphony No. 3, Op. 24; German Lieder, Op. 25; Concerto grosso, Op. 6b; String Quartet; Musikszene CTSP 45.
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Important facts
People in Jean Perrin's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jean Perrin's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jean Perrin?
Swiss composer and pianist (1920-1989)
When was Jean Perrin born?
Jean Perrin was born on 17 September 1920 in Lausanne.
When did Jean Perrin die?
Jean Perrin died on 24 September 1989 in Lausanne.
What was Jean Perrin's occupation?
Jean Perrin was a composer and pianist.
What nationality was Jean Perrin?
Jean Perrin was Swiss.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Jean Perrin (composer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jean Perrin. https://biography.guide/jean-perrin/
MLA: "Jean Perrin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jean-perrin/.
Chicago: "Jean Perrin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jean-perrin/.
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