By Fannie Edgar Thomas.
There is often some diffidence upon the part of Americans in pronouncing the names of French musicians. Even when an oral example is given it is sometimes impossible for some Americans to imitate closely enough to give the correct pronunciation. Rules found in instruction books are useless, as they often lead the student to pronunciations that are absurdly remote from those heard in Paris. The following are given for the assistance of Etude readers. They are as near the correct Parisian pronunciation as a trained ear and long residence in Paris will permit the author to transcribe them in writing.
Guilmant
Geel mah. G hard, and no "t" at the end. The "l" is almost like a "y," and the mah has a slightly nasal sound at the end.
Dubois
Du bwa. "a" as in cat. and the accent on the last syllable.
Sha mee nad. All the "a's" as in cat.
Cal-veh. "a" as in cat. Avoid the objectionable "Cawl-vay," which is so common in this country.
Vincent d'lndy
Va sah da dee. The two "a's" as in cat, and the sah slightly nasal.
Diemer
Dee ai mair.
Saint-Saëns
Sa Sah. The first "a" as in cat, and both syllables slightly nasal.
Pierne
Pee air neh.
Faure
Fohr
Fauré
Foh-reh. Difference caused by mark over "e."
Philipp
Fee-leep.
Pu-n'yo. The last syllable as if you said "yoh" and placed an "n" before it
Roger-Miclos
Ro zjeh Mee clo.
Massenet
Mas neh. Middle "e" scarcely heard.
Jean Jacques Mathias
Zjah Zjack Ma tee as.
Lamoureux
La moo re (r). The last syllable is pronounced as if you were going to say "er," but without any "r" sound at all.
Chevillard
Shev ee yaar. "a" as in cat.
Every unmarked a in French is pronounced as a in cat.
