Jean-Baptiste Breval

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Jean-Baptiste Breval (November 6, 1753-March 18, 1823) was a French cellist and composer.

[edit] Life

Breval was born in Paris, and he went on to study with Jean-Baptiste Cupis. Kicking off his career by performing one of his sonatas at a Concert Spirituel in 1778, he became a member of their orchestra from 1781 to 1791, and from 1791 to 1800 he played in the orchestra of the Théâtre Feydeau.

[edit] Works

Breval wrote a great many instrumental pieces, including symphonies, at least two cello concertos, 2 cello sonatas various chamber music, as well as a comic opera. Perhaps his most important and influential work is "Traité du Violoncelle" (1804), a cello method. Young cello students are often introduced to Breval's music (the Sonata in C major, Op. 40, No. 1) in Suzuki Book 4.