Alfred Quidant Explained

Pierre Robert Joseph (Alfred) Quidant (7 December 1815 – 9 October 1893) was a French pianist, composer and music teacher.

Biography

Born in Lyon, the son of a merchant of musical instruments, he began studying music and piano in his hometown. In 1831, he went to study at the Conservatoire de Paris,^[1] but interrupted his studies to work for Sébastien Érard as piano demonstrator, a job that he held for more than thirty years.^[1]

Quidant wrote mainly salon music, which became popular during his time. His pupils include Conrad Ansorge, Arthur de Greef, and Emil von Sauer.^[2]

He died in Paris.^[3]

Quidant had a son named R. Alfred Quidant (1856–1933).^[4]

Selected works

• La Fête au village, grande valse
• Fantaisie, en forme de valse chromatique
• Cantique, ou Fantaisie de Salon, Op. 13
• Mazeppa, grande étude-galop, Op. 21
• Grande étude-valse, Op. 29
• La Marche de l'Univers, fantaisie, Op. 34
• L'Horloge à musique, caprice, Op. 35^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Hubbard, W. L.. The American History and Encyclopedia of Music: Musical Biographies. 2005. Kessinger Publishing. 1417907134. 185.
2. Book: Methuen-Campbell, James. Chopin Playing: From the Composer to the Present Day. 1981. V. Gollancz. 057502884X. 45.
3. Book: 19th century American music periodicals. The Music Review: Devoted to the Theory, Analysis, Review and Practice of Music, Volumes 3-4. 1893. C.F. Summy. 108. 64769054.
4. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb104497312/PUBLIC French National Library
5. Book: François-Joseph, Fétis. Biographie universelle des musiciens et bibliographie générale de la musique, Volume 7. 1870. Firmin Didot frères, fils et cie. Paris. 152. 775587324.