Jean-Baptiste Breval

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Jean-Baptiste Breval (November 6, 1753 – March 18, 1823) was a French cellist and composer. He wrote mostly pieces for his own insturment, and performed many World Premiers of his own pieces. Though he was popular during his time, his works are now rarely performed with the exception of his Sonata in C, Op. 42.

[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, seven cello concerti, 4 cello sonatas, various chamber music including five sets of cello duets, as well as a comic opera. Perhaps his most important and influential work is "Traité du Violoncelle" (1804), a cello method.

Breval is most well-known for his Sonata in C Op. 42, which is one of the classics of student cello literature, and often one of the first full sonatas a cello student will learn. An edited version appears in Book 4 of the Suzuki Method, and the original version is available from several different publishers. Versions have also been published transcribed for other string insturments, including viola and bass clarinet.