Martin Berteau

Martin Berteau ( baptized on February 3, 1691, according to other sources 1709 in Valenciennes, † January 22, 1771 in Angers) was a French viol player, composer and cellist, he was known as the founder of the French cello school.

Life

Martin Berteau was originally viol player, on trips he took in Bohemia lessons from a certain Kocecs. Berteau quickly recognized the advantages of the relatively late from Italy who came to France cello. He began learning the instrument as an autodidact and later took lessons with Francesco Alborea ( Francis Chello ). Over time, he developed new playing techniques and refined the bow technique. Several times Berteaus sonatas and concertos were performed at the spiritual concert. From a now unknown date Berteau was a cellist in the court orchestra of the former King of Poland and Duke of Lorraine Stanisław Leszczynski.

His most important students were next to the Dauphin, François Cupis (1732-1808), Joseph Rey (1738-1811), Jean -Baptiste Aimé Janson (1742-1804), Louis -Auguste -Joseph Janson (1749-1815), Jean -Pierre Duport, dit " l' Aîné ", possibly his brother Jean -Louis Duport, Joseph- Bonaventure Tillière, violoncelliste ordinaire de l' Académie royale de musique, author of " Méthode pour le violoncello " (1764 ), his last student was Jean Bréval -Baptiste, also author of a Cello School (1808 ).

Works (selection)

• 6 Sonata da camera a violoncello solo col basso continuo Op.1 (1748 )
• 4 Sonata di signore Berteau for Cello and B.C. (1759 )
• 6 Sonate da camera a violoncello solo col basso continuo Op.2 ( 1767)
• Trio Sonata for 2 Violins and Cello, 1750 and 1753 listed in the Concert spiritual ( lost)
• 4 Concertos for Cello and Orchestra, given spiritual loud Fétis in the concert and mentioned in old catalogs.