A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Coussemaker, Charles

by Franz Gehring

COUSSEMAKER, Charles Edmond Henri de, a distinguished French writer on the history of music, born at Bailleul (Nord), April 19, 1805 (not 1795). His family dates from the fifteenth century, and had for many generations held important magisterial posts in Bailleul; his father, a 'juge de paix,' destined him for the law; but his musical aptitude was such that at ten he could play any piece upon the piano at sight. He also learned the violin and violoncello. He was educated at the Douai 'Lycée,' and took lessons in harmony from Moreau, organist of St. Pierre. In 1825 he went to Paris, and studied counterpoint under Lefebvre. The recent researches of Fétis had roused a general interest in the history of music, and Coussemaker's attention was turned in that direction. Having completed his studies he was appointed 'juge' successively at Douai, Bergues, Hazebrouck, Dunkerque, and Lille. He died Jan. 10, 1876 [App. p.601 "12"]. He was a member of the 'Institut' for twenty years, and belonged to several other learned societies, besides being a 'chevalier' of the Legion of Honour, and of the order of Leopold of Belgium. His works are 'Mémoire sur Hucbald,' &c. (1841); 'Notices sur les collections musicales de la bibliothèque de Cambrai,' etc. (1852); 'Histoire de l'harmonie au moyen age' (1852); 'Trois chants historiques' (1854); 'Chants populaires des Flamands' (1856); 'Chants liturgiques de Thomas à Kempis' (1856); 'Notice sur un MS. musical de … S. Dié' (1859); 'Drames liturgiques,' etc. (1861); 'Messe du XIII^e siècle,' etc. (1861); 'Scriptorum de musica medii ævi, nova series'^[1] (1864–76, 4 vol.); 'Les harmonistes des , XII^e et XIII^e siècles' (1864); and 'L'art harmonique au XII^e et XIII^e siècles' (1865). He has also edited the works of Adam de la Halle (Paris, 1873). At the time of his death he was preparing a continuation of his 'Art harmonique' to the fourteenth century. His legal writings are good, especially one on Flemish law. In early life he composed some masses and other church music. In spite of considerable errors his works form a most important contribution to the history of music.

[ F. G. ]

1. In continuation of Gerbert's 'Scriptores ecclesiastici.'