Born in 1935 in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Mâche studied music with E. Passani and O. Messiaen at the Paris Conservatory, winning a prize for the philosophy of music in 1960. He was a founder member of Pierre Schaeffer’s Groupe de Recherches Musicales (1958-63). He also studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris (1955-59), obtaining diplomas in Greek archeology (1957) and an aggregation in letters (1958). He obtained a doctorate in musicology in 1980. Guest composer and teacher in numerous countries, he is also the author of many theoretical articles and works including «Les mal entendus» (La Revue Musicale, 1978), «Musique, Mythe, Nature» (Klincksieck, 1983/1991, Eng. trans. Gordon & Breach, 1992), «Varèse, vingt ans après» (La Revue Musicale, nos 383-385), «Entre l'observatoire et l'atelier» (Kimé, 1998). Prix de la Biennale de Paris (1963), Prix Georges Enesco from the Sacem (1964), Prix Italia (1977), Prix Chartier of the Académie des Beaux Arts (1984), Grand Prix National de la Musique, Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (1990). François-Bernard Mâche has developed an individual theory and method of composition, based on ideas of model and archetype, ideas that he has applied to many of his 70 and more works. François-Bernard Mâche is Director of Studies at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales.

His music is published by Durand & Salabert / Universal Classical Music. 

Ziggurat (1998)
for harpsichord
Éditions Durand - On sale

Uncas (1986)
for ensemble and tape
Éditions Durand - On hire

Toïn Theoïn (1979)
for 2 clarinets
Éditions Durand - On hire

Danaé (1970)
for 12 voices and percussion
Éditions Salabert - On hire