After a sheltered childhood in a cultured family and subsequent study of law, Chausson became a pupil of Massenet at the Conservatoire, also attending the classes of César Franck. He led a generally peaceful life, shortened by a cycling accident, and echoed in his music the developments of the period, from Massenet to Debussy.
Orchestral Music
Chausson wrote relatively little orchestral music. Of the four surviving works, Poème, for solo violin and orchestra, is an important item in violin repertoire. He completed a single symphony, in B flat, with two surviving symphonic poems.
