Musard, Philippe

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Musard, Philippe

Musard, Philippe, famous French conductor and composer; b. Tours, Nov. 8, 1792; d. Auteuil, Paris, March 30, 1859. He studied music privately with Reicha. He organized his own Concerts-Musard in Paris, at which he presented popular works and dance music. The remarkable cornetist Dufresne became an added attraction, and Musard wrote special solo pieces for him; he also conducted balls at the Paris Opéra (1835–36), at which his orch. of 70 musicians won great acclaim. He led popular concerts at London’s Drury Lane and Lyceum Theatre (1840–41), and remained a successful figure in France until his retirement in 1852. His quadrilles and galops enjoyed immense popularity, and he earned the sobriquet “Ie roi des quadrilles” His son Alfred Musard (1828–81) was also a composer of quadrilles, and a bandleader.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire