Cupis, who studied with Berteau from the age of eleven, became the principal of the Paris Opera and was a soloist in Italy and Germany. He and his most well-known student, Jean Baptiste Bréval (1756-1825), advanced the French playing style. Many young cellists are familiar with Breval’s cello compositions—sonatas, concerti, and numerous duos, and trios.
Breval: Sonata op. 12 – I. Allegro
By far the most influential Berteau student was Jean Pierre Duport, “l’aîné,” the eldest (1741-1818). By the time he was twenty, his playing was so impressive he was appointed by Louis François I, Prince of Conti, to perform a solo nightly in his private band. In 1762 the Mercure de France wrote about Jean Pierre, “In his hands the instrument is no longer recognizable; it speaks, expresses, and renders everything with a charm greater than that thought to be exclusive to the violin…” Duport’s travels took him from Spain, to London, and then Berlin, where Frederick the Great hired Duport as chamber musician for the Royal Chapel, principal cello of the Royal Opera, and tutor of the Crown Prince. Once the prince ascended the throne as Friedrich Wilhelm II, Duport became the director of Royal Chamber Music. Through this distinguished position Duport met both Mozart and Beethoven. Mozart’s String Quartets, nicknamed ‘The Prussian’ K575, 589, and 590 and Beethoven’s Sonatas op. 5 for piano and cello, dedicated to the king, seem to confirm Duport’s influence, as these works feature quite advanced technical demands, and the cantabile or smooth singing style of the cello.
Duport: Cello Sonata in D
Duport’s talented younger brother Jean Louis (1749-1819) also became a brilliant cellist not in small part due to the elder Duport’s success and his teaching. Jean Louis’ playing was notable for its flowing lines, brilliance, and sweet, yet powerful tone.
Jean-Louis’ influence was strongly felt throughout Europe. One of his pupils was the Russian cellist, Davidov. Another, and one of the most prominent, Joseph Platel (1777-1835), is considered the founder of the Belgian School of playing. He was born in Versailles, and subsequently taught for many years at the Brussels Conservatoire. Platel like the Duport brothers was known for his beautiful, supple tone. Platel traveled extensively, inspiring the next generation of cellists.
The cello standards of France were rapidly ascending. German cellists were still playing with a powerful sound, and a facile left-hand technique, but they preferred a solemn, serious musical approach. The French, hailing from the royal courts of elegance, finesse, and refinement, held the bow at a distance from the frog, and tended to lighter bowing. Emulating the style of violinists such as Viotti, French cellists learned agile and intricate bowing techniques—spiccato, (light and fleeting, the bow bouncing off the string) staccato (short notes with silence between them), detaché (smooth separate strokes) and others. These bowing styles and the bow hold of Jean Louis Duport’s time are evident in his delightful Sonata in D. Two other French cellists—one, a student of Platel’s, Servais, and the other Franchomme, are noteworthy.
Adrien François Servais (1807-1866) was a teacher at the Brussels conservatory and a dazzling solo performer. He became Platel’s assistant in 1829. Servais, was known as the “Paganini of the Cello”, celebrated for his brilliant technique, graceful and flowing bow arm, singing sound, and poetic interpretations. He adopted violin-like left hand fingering, and his compositions reflect this technical exploration. Servais is credited with inventing the end pin or spike. Perhaps this was due to the fact that he became quite rotund in later life and couldn’t support the cello anymore. But it revolutionized cello playing. The end-pin allowed more freedom for the arms. One other benefit, though inadvertent, was that it allowed women to play the cello while preserving their modesty and yet not having to sit side-saddle. Beginning in 1839 and returning ten times, Servais was a frequent guest performer in Russia making a huge impact on Russian cellists. His Fantaisie sur Deux Airs Russes, shows what facility he must have had!
Servais: “Fantaisie sur deux Airs Russes,” from Russian tunes
Cellist Sol Gabetta with accompaniment from pianist Ilya Yakushev
Auguste Franchomme, also a very prominent cellist (1808-1884), who played mostly chamber music had a gorgeous tone and brilliant left-hand technique.
Franchomme : 3 Caprices, Op. 24: No. 2. Preciosa de Weber
Franchomme’s student Jules Delsart was the teacher of renown cellist Paul Bazelaire, (1886-1958) and one of his pupils was Pierre Fournier (1906-1086)—the “aristocrat of cellists” whose elegant musicianship and fine interpretations we enjoy today. Other contemporary cellists of the French school of playing, known for their lyricism, whose bowing techniques feature a wide variety of tone colors, include cellists André Navarra, Maurice Gendron, and Paul Tortelier—giants of the cello. Their students are among the most prominent players today.
Bazelaire: Berceuse Populaire Francaise
Berteau |
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Jean Pierre Duport | Cupis |
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Jean Louis Duport | ↓ |
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Platel (Davidov) | Breval |
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Servais |
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Victor Mirecki Larramat (also studied with Franchomme) |
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(a student of Servais taught) |
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Felix Salmond (taught at Juilliard) |
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Leonard Rose, Bernard Greenhouse, Eleanor Aller, Elsa Hilger, Frank Miller |
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