Having lost his mother and father at an early age David was recommended to St Suaveur in Aix-en-Provence to study music. Eventually he became a student of Cherubini, Fetis and Millaut. Disconcerted over musical studies, or, captured by a general pathos with the teachings of Saint-Simionism, David traveled to Egypt where he became interested in the "eastern" music and began composing pieces in this texture. He returned to Paris where the oriental flavor in music had not yet caught on composing three symphonies, quintets, and songs. Presenting a concert of his own works, including "Le desert" in 1844, David's music became an instantaneous success. Oriental themes had struck a chord and influenced Gounod, Bizet, Delibes, Saint-Saens, and others. Later works of David were received well including some compositions for stage ("La perle du Bresil") while others were viewed with mediocrity ("Le saphir"). The major criticism of David's work may be that he overplayed his oriental themes even though they were presented through pleasingly western melodies. Harmonies were developed via Romantic convention yet David's music rarely superceded delicate and amorphous strains. (The climactic musically-metaphoric eruption of Vesuvius at the end of "Herculanum" was an exception). ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi