Jacques Féréol Mazas

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For Mazas Prison, see here.
Jacques Féréol Mazas (ca. 1875), etching by Frédéric-Désiré Hillemacher. Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Jacques Féréol Mazas (ca. 1875), etching by Frédéric-Désiré Hillemacher. Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Jacques Féréol Mazas (born 23 September 1782 in Lavaur – died 26 August 1849 in Bordeaux) was a French composer, conductor, violinist, and pedagogue.

[edit] Biography

Mazas was a brilliant pupil of Pierre Baillot at the Paris Conservatoire, from which he received the first prize in 1805. In 1808, he played a violin concerto dedicated to him by Auber. He then performed widely across Europe. In 1831, he accepted the post of first violin at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal. A short time later, he was appointed directeur des concerts in Orléans, where he directed that city's Opéra Comique theater. From 1837 to 1841, he was director of the conservatoire in Cambrai.

His compositions for violin are, for the most part, studies and duets for young string players of all abilities that constitute methods for both violin and viola.

[edit] Selected works

  • 75 Studies, in three books:
1. Études spéciales
2. Études brillantes
3. Études d'artistes (considered to be preparation for the 24 Caprices of Paganini)
  • Études, op. 36, no. I & II.
  • Duets for two violins, op. 38
  • Six easy duets for two violins dedicated to his pupils, op. 61
  • Six duets for two violins, op. 71
  • "The Dream: Fantasy on a theme from La Favorite" (Donizetti), op. 92, for viola and piano
  • Rondeau du Freischütz (Weber), op. 44/1
  • Polonaise du Freischütz (Weber), op. 45/1
  • Polonaise on a theme by Rossini op. 45/2
  • Opera: Coxinne au Capitole
  • Comic opera: Mustapha

[edit] References

(Translated from the French Wikipedia entry, [1])