Lefèvre, (Jean) Xavier

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Lefèvre, (Jean) Xavier

Lefèvre, (Jean) Xavier, Swiss-born French clarinetist and composer; b. Lausanne, March 6, 1763; d.Paris, Nov. 9, 1829. He studied with Michel Yost in Paris, and first appeared as a soloist at the Concert Spirituel (1783). He played in the Paris Opéra orch. (1791–1817), and was also principal cellist in the imperial (later royal) chapel from 1807. He was a prof, at the Cons. (1795–1824). He wrote a clarinet method (1802). Among his works were 7 clarinet concertos, as well as trios, duos, sonatas, and other works for his instrument. He popularized the sixth key of the clarinet, although he did not invent it.

Bibliography

L. Youngs, J.X.L, His Contributions to the Clarinet and Clarinet Playing (diss., Catholic Univ. of America, 1970).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire