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Artist
Léon Fontbonne
1+ albums
frenchlate romantic
about
Léon Fontbonne (1859–1940) was born in Clermont-Ferrand, in central France. At the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, Fontbonne's family moved to Belgium. There, after an apprenticeship as a typographer at a newspaper and after teaching himself the flute, Fontbonne began his musical studies, including composition, at the Conservatoire in Liège where he studied with Edouard Tricot. He received his Premier Prix with distinction in 1877.On returning to France, he continued serious studies in composition and played in symphony orchestras in Paris. In 1883 he was admitted, without audition, into the Musique de la Garde Républicaine, the official band and orchestra, where he soon became first flute. He occupied this position until 1908, often doubling on piccolo. A hugely talented man and an engaging character, he became one of the most popular musicians of the Belle Époque. Fontbonne was adored by Paris audiences and particularly by lovers of open-air concerts, and as a pioneer of recordings he achieved a level of national fame scarcely imaginable today.Fontbonne left the Garde Républicaine after 25 years' service, but, while remaining nostalgic about his past glory, this most positive-minded musician directed his energies to many undertakings, notably as a composer, concert organiser and conductor, and remained active for a number of decades. He died in Paris in 1940 having spent his final years tirelessly telling the tales of the great adventure of his life: the Garde