félicien david in 1858 in paris in 1830 convinced luigi cherubini, director of conservatoire, enroll him pupil: despite reservations, cherubini recognised talent shown david s choral setting of beatus vir. despite sudden withdrawal of uncle s subsidy, david s studies, fétis , others, continued successfully. on leaving conservatoire, david caught in saint-simonian movement, became great enthusiast. saint-simonians held music important art, , david wrote music them, including number of hymns. after suppression of movement in 1832, david joined number of adepts visited middle east. proved source of strong inspiration, leading greatest success, symphonic ode le désert of 1844. returning paris in 1833, wrote number of romances, , instrumental music including 3 symphonies (in f major, e♭ major , c minor, composed in 1837, 1838 , 1849); 1838/39 sufficiently successful able arrange public performances of works. le désert acknowledged public , critics significant force. revue et gazette musical...