Jean Massin
Jean Massin stood at the seminary in Rome during his early studies. He remained a Catholic priest until 1952 despite questions about tradition. This decision marked a sharp turn from religious life to secular history and musicology. He moved close to Paul Claudel, theologian Yves Congar, and the vicar of the Parish of Saint Séverin. These connections shaped his intellectual path before he became a critic and musicographer. The shift required him to leave behind the robes of priesthood for the pen of a historian.
In 1955 Jean Massin published Ludwig van Beethoven with Club français du Livre. His wife Brigitte Massin née Toulemonde co-authored this work alongside him. They followed it with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1956. These two reference works appeared within a single year. Their collaboration renewed the historiographical approach of composers in France. A television program on the 14th of March 1970 highlighted their originality regarding romantic music psychology. The couple directed Histoire de la musique occidentale together in 1977. Their joint direction spanned decades of shared research output.
Hubert Juin praised Jean Massin's enterprise regarding Victor Hugo. The project resulted in thirty-six volumes of complete works published by Club français du Livre in 1980. This edition remains a reference for Hugollian work today. Hubert Juin noted that previous readers held a false sense due to mass and fragmentation. Massin aimed to abolish this disparity and recover many faces of Hugo. His chronological edition unified diverse readings into one coherent face. The scale of the task required decades of editorial labor.
Massin began publishing Cantate triomphale du Christ roi with Desclée De Brouwer in 1937. Poèmes de la compassion de Jésus-Christ followed two years later via Éditions franciscaines. Le Feu de la Saint-Jean appeared in 1944 through Éditions Julliard. Baudelaire devant la douleur also emerged in 1944 with Sequana. A second volume on Baudelaire titled Baudelaire entre Dieu et Satan arrived in 1945 from Julliard. Le Rire et la Croix spanned two volumes between 1949 and 1952. These early theological texts transitioned into
major reference books published up to 1980.
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Common questions
When did Jean Massin leave the Catholic priesthood?
Jean Massin left the Catholic priesthood in 1952. This decision marked a sharp turn from religious life to secular history and musicology.
Who co-authored Ludwig van Beethoven with Jean Massin?
Brigitte Massin née Toulemonde co-authored Ludwig van Beethoven with Jean Massin. They published this work through Club français du Livre in 1955.
What major project did Hubert Juin praise regarding Victor Hugo?
Hubert Juin praised Jean Massin's enterprise regarding Victor Hugo which resulted in thirty-six volumes of complete works. These volumes were published by Club français du Livre in 1980.
Which books did Jean Massin publish between 1937 and 1945?
Jean Massin published Cantate triomphale du Christ roi in 1937, Poèmes de la compassion de Jésus-Christ in 1939, Le Feu de la Saint-Jean in 1944, Baudelaire devant la douleur in 1944, and Baudelaire entre Dieu et Satan in 1945.
When was the television program about Jean Massin and Brigitte Massin broadcast?
A television program highlighting their originality regarding romantic music psychology aired on the 14th of March 1970. This program featured the couple who directed Histoire de la musique occidentale together in 1977.